The Ontario Provincial Police has officially launched its annual Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign for the 2025 holiday season. The program began on November 20, 2025, with increased police presence and checkpoints across Ontario highways and roadways.
Enhanced Enforcement During Holiday Period
The OPP's Festive RIDE initiative represents one of the year's most intensive impaired driving enforcement periods. Starting this week, drivers can expect to encounter numerous sobriety checkpoints throughout the province, particularly during evenings and weekends when holiday celebrations typically occur.
Police services across Ontario are coordinating efforts to ensure comprehensive coverage, with special attention given to areas with high traffic volumes and known collision hotspots. The campaign will run through the holiday season and into the new year.
Historical Context and Safety Impact
Impaired driving remains a significant concern during the holiday season, with statistics showing increased incidents of alcohol and drug-impaired driving between November and January. The OPP has conducted Festive RIDE programs for decades, removing thousands of impaired drivers from Ontario roads during this critical period.
Last year's campaign resulted in hundreds of charges and license suspensions, demonstrating the ongoing need for vigilant enforcement. Police emphasize that impaired driving includes not only alcohol but also cannabis and other drugs that affect driving ability.
Public Safety Recommendations
Authorities are urging residents to plan ahead for safe transportation during holiday gatherings. Designated drivers, taxi services, ride-sharing apps, and public transit are all recommended alternatives to driving after consuming alcohol or cannabis.
Police also remind the public that even small amounts of alcohol or drugs can impair driving ability and judgment. The legal limits for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) remain at 0.08 for criminal charges and 0.05 for administrative penalties in Ontario.
The OPP encourages citizens to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911 immediately. Through combined enforcement and public cooperation, authorities aim to make Ontario roads safer for all travelers during this festive season.
