The Ontario Provincial Police has wrapped up its Festive RIDE campaign for the year, and Essex County had the most impaired driving charges of any other county in the West Region.
The campaign started on November 20 and concluded on New Year's Day.
"West Region remains committed to keeping our roads safe through proactive RIDE programs and focused impaired-driving enforcement efforts," said OPP West Region Traffic and Marine Manager Inspector Michael McConnell. "We remind all drivers to plan ahead, make responsible choices, and always drive sober."
Across the West Region, OPP officers conducted 3,095 Festive RIDE spot checks, the highest number of spot checks in five years.
There was a total of 269 impaired driving charges and 40 warning-range suspensions. That's compared to 187 charges and 19 warning-range suspensions last year.
The OPP conducted 375 Festive RIDE events in Essex County, where they charged 54 drivers with driving impaired and suspended two drivers after they registered in the warning range.
Across Ontario, the number of impaired driving charges numbered 1,268.
