Ottawa police concluded their 2025 Festive RIDE initiative with a significant enforcement push, resulting in charges against 34 drivers during the final campaign of the holiday season. The police service announced the results on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
Breakdown of Charges from Final Campaign
The majority of the charges stemmed from impaired driving. Police confirmed that twenty-seven drivers were charged with impaired-related offences during this specific campaign. Additional charges included two drivers charged for driving while suspended, three for having open alcohol in a vehicle, and two others charged under the Cannabis Control Act.
This final blitz was part of a widespread effort across the city. Officers set up enforcement at 76 separate locations, leading to interactions with nearly 7,000 drivers. Police reported a total of 6,924 driver interactions during the checkpoints.
Seasonal and Annual Totals Revealed
The enforcement was not limited to dedicated RIDE stops. Ottawa police noted that frontline officers also actively pursued impaired driving enforcement during their regular patrols throughout the festive period.
When combining the results from all dedicated RIDE programs and routine police work over the entire holiday season, the figures are more striking. In total, 94 drivers were charged with impaired-related offences during the Festive RIDE season.
The annual statistics show an ongoing concern. For the full calendar year of 2025, Ottawa police charged 854 drivers with impaired-related offences. This number marks an increase from the 837 drivers charged for similar offences in 2024.
A Year-Round Enforcement Priority
The release of these figures underscores the continued focus by the Ottawa Police Service on road safety and deterring impaired driving. The Festive RIDE program is a highlighted seasonal campaign, but enforcement remains a constant priority.
The data serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. With charges ranging from immediate licence suspensions to criminal offences, the legal and personal ramifications for drivers are severe.
