Chatham-Kent police launched the 2024 Festive R.I.D.E. campaign on Wednesday, which was also the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims.
"Every life lost in a road crash is a life filled with potential, dreams and loved ones. Behind every statistic is a family member, a friend, a colleague - a person whose absence leaves an irreplaceable void," Constable Lisa Rodger, with the Traffic Management Unit, said during the campaign kick-off. "In remembering these victims, we not only honour their memories, but we also renew our commitment to preventing further tragedies."
This year, police will also be handing out snow brushes during traffic stops, which is part of an effort to prevent crashes caused by people leaving snow on their vehicles during the winter.
2023, which was one of the worst years in recent history for crashes and fatalities, saw 22 major collisions, eight of which were caused by impairment.
There were 17 fatal collisions, with 10 deaths caused by impaired driving.
So far, even though there have been more R.I.D.E. programs, this year has seen lower numbers in collisions caused by impaired driving (4) and fatalities (3) when compared to 2023.
"It's lower than 2022 as well. So that's a good sign," Rodger said. "We're hoping that things are on the downswing and it'll continue in 2025."
Police said that even though the statistics look better, they plan to treat the 2024 campaign the same as any other year.
"You're going to see us out in full force, in not only just R.I.D.E. programs but on general patrol as well," she added.
Impaired driving is not limited to just alcohol. Police said they're seeing "more and more" crashes caused by drivers who have used cannabis, since the laws changed several years ago.
Rodger admitted that any collisions can be upsetting to first responders, but it's worse when the crash was avoidable.
"It's frustrating to know that it could have been prevented," she shared.
CK police are reminding everyone that if you plan to drink or take any drugs that could affect your ability to drive designate a driver, call a taxi, use a rideshare service, or arrange alternative transportation.
"It's not just about following the law - it's about making the responsible choice that keeps our roads safe for everyone," Rodger said.