60 people charged as police target drunk drivers in Mississauga and Brampton

Some 7,000 vehicles have been pulled aside and more than 60 people charged so far as Peel Regional Police run their annual Holiday Season RIDE campaign aimed at getting impaired and drunk drivers off the roads in Mississauga and Brampton.

In addition, more than 650 Highway Traffic Act charges or cautions have been issued by officers since the 2024 festive season anti-drinking and driving initiative got underway in mid-November.

“Since November, Peel Regional Police officers have been working diligently to ensure impaired drivers are kept off our roads. Remember, it is not worth the risk. Use a ridesharing app, take a taxi or public transportation or call a friend,” Peel police said in a post to social media.

Partnering again with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, police will be out in full force in Mississauga and Brampton through the new year conducting roadside spot checks in search of motorists who get behind the wheel while impaired or drunk.

The campaign began Nov. 16 and continues until Dec. 31.

“Impaired driving puts everyone at risk and it can devastate families,” Peel police Deputy Chief Mark Dapat said two weeks ago as the campaign was officially launched. “There is no excuse for driving impaired. Please plan ahead and protect yourself, your loved ones and our community.”

Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Mark Dapat speaks at the official launch of the Holiday Season RIDE campaign.

MADD Canada chief operating officer Dawn Regan said impaired driving “is not an accident,” but “a choice that someone makes, and it devastates families. Please, this holiday season, make the right choice and do not drive impaired.”

Police said additional officers from Road Safety Services and other divisions have been deployed to increase the number of roadside checks throughout the holiday season in Peel’s two cities.

Last year’s Peel police Holiday Season RIDE campaign resulted in 155 impaired-related charges being laid and 116 drivers receiving three-day licence suspensions. In total, police investigated more than 12,000 vehicles during their 2023 effort.

Police say that while they beef up enforcement during the holiday season, RIDE spot checks are conducted throughout the year in efforts to not only nab impaired drivers, but also to “educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving.”