It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and that means additional police patrols on the streets looking for drivers who've had too much holiday cheer.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Essex County officially launched the annual Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign on Thursday.
"Throughout the holiday season, community members can expect to see an increased police presence on Essex County roadways, as officers conduct more roadside spot checks across the county," read a release from the OPP.
Patrol officers have already been busy with RIDE programs, having conducted 1,836 checks so far this year.
The OPP say the checkpoints help stop a potential tragedy before it happens.
"The Essex County OPP remains committed to protecting roadways from alcohol and drug-impaired drivers," read the release. "Community members are encouraged to do their part this season, never drive after drinking or using drugs, and step in if someone else is about to get behind the wheel while impaired."
As of this past Sunday, the OPP responded to 67 crashes in Essex County that were drug or alcohol-related, crashes that could have been avoided.
Police say that if you suspect another driver is impaired, call 911.
