Ontario Provincial Police are reminding everyone that intends to drink alcohol or consume cannabis New Year's Eve to plan ahead and arrange for a safe ride home.
Any amount of alcohol or drugs can impair ability to drive, OPP said in a media release. If you are stopped by the police and register a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in the 'warn range', you could face an immediate driver's license suspension.
If over the legal limit you will face a 90-day driver's license suspension, a court appearance and your vehicle will be impounded for 7 days. All these penalties are inconvenient and costly.
"Take responsibility for your actions," said Inspector Mike McConnell, OPP west region traffic/marine manager. "If you drink or take any intoxicating substances, it's simple, don't drive. Everyone that operates a motor vehicle needs to realize that there is no safe level of alcohol or drug consumption when getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Arrange for a designated driver, take a taxi, or stay overnight. It is not worth risking your life or the lives of others."
Expect to see OPP officers continuing to conduct RIDE checkpoints into the new year as part of OPP's Provincial Traffic Safety Program.
Police ask that people plan ahead and do your part to make this a safe celebration for everyone.
