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w w w .insideH A LT O N .com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, J a n u a ry 1 3 , 2 0 1 7 | 4 Impaired charges up in RIDE but down for the year by Tim Whitnell Metroland West Media There was relatively good news and some bad news among the recent statistics released by Halton Regional Police concerning people who drink and drive. Halton police have released impaired driving statistics for 2016, including from its annual Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) December campaign and year-over-year totals. Results from RIDE, a program held from Dec. 1-31, in partnership with community agencies such as MADD Canada and funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety, are as follows: · 266 roadside breath tests conducted · 51 impaired driving arrests (compared to 31 during the same period in 2015) · 4 7 three-day driver' s licence suspensions · 2 seven-day licence suspensions · 5 24-hour suspensions (G1/G2 drivers) While impaired charges were up for December 2016 over the same period in 2015, impaired driving arrests in Halton for the entire year decreased from 425 in 2015 to 4 0 4 in 2016. There was just one charge of impaired driving and one charge of over 80 across the entire region on New Year ' s Eve/Day "We wish to thank residents for helping us achieve an impaired driving statistic we can all Halton police officers conduct RIDE spot checks, looking for impaired drivers on a Friday evening during the 2016 holiday season. | Graham Paine/Metroland be proud of," said Halton police media relations officer Sgt. Barry Malciw One of Halton' s deputy police chiefs said motorists who drink and get into a vehicle are a target of officers. "Impaired driving by drug or alcohol is a threat to community safety, and the reality is it isn't a holiday, weekend or night-time problem," said Nishan Duraiappah. "As such, it is and will remain a top priority for our service all day, every day of the year. Enforcement alone isn't the answer, and we will continue to partner with other organizations to weave elements of prevention and social development into our work towards enhancing traffic safety in our community." One anti-drinking and driving education program in Halton involves officers conducting tests at various bars and restaurants across the region that serve alcohol. Volunteers were given the opportunity to check their blood alcohol levels on-the-spot by providing breath samples into roadside screening devices. In the tests conducted, 52 men and women participated with 29 registering a pass (under 0.05 milligrams alcohol/100 millilitres of blood), 15 a warning (between 0.05 and 0.08 mg) while eight failed (over 0.08 mg). To ensure that the impaired driving message was heard by drivers of all ages, Halton police' s high school liaison officers attended several area secondary schools to deliver its annual RIDE 101 program. RIDE 101 teaches students about the influence drugs and alcohol can have on a driver' s perception and ability to complete simple tasks by enabling them to experience the world by wearing goggles that mimic its effects. More information can be found at www. haltonpolice.ca under Community or by following @HaltonPolice on Twitter or Facebook Residents are reminded that impaired driving is a crime in progress and to report it immediately by calling 911. FERN H ILL O A K VILLE C A M P U S OPEN HOUSE FOR PROSPECTIVE FAMILIES SATURDAY, JA N U A R Y 2 1 S T , 9 :0 0 - N O O N P resch o o l (A g e 3) & JK · V & Full d a y p ro g ra m s · P ho n ic based re a d in g · P rogressive m a th · French & M a n d a rin · M u sic, D ra m a , A rt · Lunch p ro g ra m s S K - G ra d e 5 · In d iv id u a liz e d le a rn in g · S p e llin g , C ursive · S elf-p a ce d m a th e m a tic s · A th le tic to u rn a m e n ts · D ra m a tic p e rfo rm a n c e s · French & M a n d a rin G ra d e 6 -8 · G rade 9 c re d its M a th , F rench, Business · H o u se c a p ta in s · In te rn a tio n a l tra v e l · L e a d e rsh ip R ecog n ize d as o n e o f Canada's fin e s t sch o o ls, Fern H ill p ro v id e s an e d u c a tio n a l fo u n d a tio n th a t a llo w s ideas, th in k in g a n d c o n fid e n c e to flo u ris h . O p e n in g d o o rs to a w o rld o f o p p o rtu n itie s . In s p irin g y o u n g m in d s a n d u n le a s h in g u n lim ite d p o te n tia l. 3300 Ninth Line, Oakville 905-257-0022 www.fernhillschool.com Under new ownership, Oakville Spa & Wellness Centre, located at 649 Fourth Line (at Speers Road) has undergone extensive renovations and updating to ensure a superior client experience. Offering pedicures and manicures, facials, waxing, accupuncture, and massage, Oakville Spa & Wellness Centre boasts experienced staff and an inviting environment. Until Saturday Jan. 14 clients can book the massage special which features a one-hour massage for the rate of $55. For more information or to book an appointment call 905-901-0978.