Ottawa Lawyer | Ontario Drivers Beware – Holiday RIDE Stops Have Begun

OTTAWA CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER – As another holiday season quickly approaches, the Ontario Provincial Police are once again implementing RIDE tests on Ontario’s roads.

As YourRegionOttawa.com reports, the Ottawa area’s first RIDE checkpoint was set up on November 26 in Kanata. From now until January 6, these RIDE checkpoints will be set up all over the city, and similar stations will be found in other cities and towns across Ontario.

The point of any RIDE checkpoint is to prevent holiday-season impaired driving by stopping all vehicles, and checking with each occupant to determine how much alcohol has been consumed by the driver.

These police officers do have the ability to demand breath tests if they suspect the driver has been drinking. They also have the right to charge you. During last year’s RIDE season, Ontario Provincial Police officers charged 299 Ontario drivers. A total of 12 million cars were stopped at RIDE checkpoints across the province.

Avoid ruining your holiday season by preparing yourself for a RIDE stop before it happens. Here are some important tips to get ready for the holiday season:

• Don’t drink and drive with the hope that you will be able to avoid or detour around RIDE checkpoints. They are increasingly common, and throughout the holiday season you will see them on many major roads.
• Do treat the RIDE officers politely and with respect. When questioned, it is not a good idea to lie about the amount of alcohol you have consumed.
• Do remember that you have certain rights which officers must respect when administering breath tests or making charges. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner you can determine whether your rights were violated.

If you have been stopped by Ontario traffic officers and charged with impaired driving, “over 80,” or sample refusal, you need a top criminal defence lawyer who can fight to get your charges dismissed. For more information, contact the criminal defence lawyers at Auger Hollingsworth by email at info@ottawalawfirm.ca or by phone at (613) 233-4529.