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durhamregion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ JANUARY 4,2006 ♦ PAGE 3 Police set to step up RIDE jas impaired charges rise M LIVE ENTERTAINMENT THURS.Jan.5th RIDE stats an 'eye-opener' bfficer says JEFF MITCHELL Staff Writer DURHAM -- "Sustained high numbers of drunk drivers throughout the holiday season •have resulted in a call to action for Durham Regional Police. With one week left to go in the annual Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign, police have laid drinking drinking and driving charges against 104 people, a spike in numbers Traffic Management Enforcement Enforcement Unit Sergeant Jeff Galipeau calls startling. "At this point we're about 40 per cent higher in impaired related arrests" than 2004, Sgt. Galipeau said. "It's been an eye-opener for everybody." Durham police, who launched the Festive RIDE program in late November, have stopped thousands thousands of vehicles and administered administered roadside breath tests to more than 400 motorists. More than 130 registered a warning, and had their licences suspended for 12 hours. The more troubling statistic statistic is the 104 drivers found to be exceeding the legal blood- alcohol limit, or who refused to provide breath samples. Police . have laid 132 impaired-related charges against those drivers, Sgt. Galipeau said. Meanwhile, 77 Criminal Code charges for infractions such as possession of weapons or stolen vehicles have been laid, and 50 people have been busted for drug possession. Among those charged with drinking and driving were a number number of repeat offenders, Sgt. Galipeau Galipeau said. And he noted young people were well-represented among those charged, too. "We've seen a slight increase in the number of young drivers this year," he said. "They're new to driving and they're new to drinking; drinking; that's a lethal combination." Sgt. Galipeau said a stepped-up effort to combat drunk driving in 2006 will include more frequent deployment of RIDE checks, and police working in conjunction with organizations such as Mothers Mothers Against Drunk Driving to spread, the message that drinking and driving is not acceptable. Still time for a flu shot It's not too late to get vaccinated DURHAM - There's still time to get protected from the flu before its peak season strikes. Those who missed out on the Durham Region health department's department's free flu shot clinics can still get immunized through their doctor's office or medical clinics, said Jennifer Banas, the Region's community development development co-ordinator. So far, there have been no reported cases of influenza in Durham Region, but its peak season is January to March. "It will come and there will be outbreaks so (the flu shot) is still encouraged," said Dr. Donna Reynolds, Durham Region's associate medical officer officer of health. This year, 11,604 Durham residents received vaccinations through the health department's community clinics,- compared to 13,900 last year, said Ms. Banas. Dr. Reynolds said only five to 10 per cent of flu shots are distributed through the clinics. A survey given to adults between January and April is used to. determine how many Durham residents receive the shot. "Last year and the year before it was about 43 per cent of adults (who received their flu shot)," said Dr. Reynolds. She said the provincial target is to have 60 per cent of healthy adults between ages 18 and 64 vaccinated. Sheela Basrur, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, said elderly people and those with weak immune systems can become seriously ill from the flu. "And the best way to protect everyone is to get immunized," said Dr. Basrur. The flu shot is also recommended recommended for children aged six to 23 months as they are at high risk of hospitalization from flu complications. "Young children are major Spreaders of the flu and can spread illness easily to other children and to family members," members," said Dr. Basrur. The flu ' shot is available through doctors' offices and public flu shot clinics offered by public health units, pharmacies, community health centres, hospitals, hospitals, long-term care homes, community care access centres and employer-sponsored clinics. clinics. The government has recently produced information about the flu in American Sign Language for the deaf community. It is also available at www.health, gov.on.ca. To find a flu clinic location, call 1-877-844-1944, TTY 1-800-387-5559, or visit www.health.gov.on.ca. More information can also be found at www.healthyontario.com. . Celia Klemenz/Metroland Durham Region Media Group Getting a good read with a Big Sister BOWMANVILLE -- Eddie Kirby, a student at Waverley Public School, receives assistance from his mentor Ann Hilborn. Ms. Hilborn volunteers with the Big Brothers and Sisters of Clarington mentoring program. Your Candidate for Durham Doug Moffatt knows Durham. He cares about this region - our families, our seniors, our local healthcare, our jobs and our businesses and industries. Uxbridge Office 11 Main Street N. (905) 862-0092 Bowmanvilie Office 22 Division Street N. (905) 697-2029 Vote Moffatt on January 23. UbCfOl Aulhoii/od by dm Oltldni Aganl lor IIIe Doug Moff.lt Campaign. Thiselection, send someone to Ottawa who will work hard for all of us.in Durham. www.libaral.ca .\MJj X .'j-Xrv £" iûÊ- 1 h . / _ -v Watch for us Wednesday, Friday and Sunday for all your local news. Cnnnimin &tatcômnn 600 Grandview, Oshawa 905-436-1476 There's lots more news online at durhamregion.com SfrLE [SPECIAL ii| TODAY'S thisweek To have your flyers delivered by Durham's #1 Carrier Force! Call 905-579-4407 Wed., Jan. 4/06 • McGregor IDA* • Staples* • Sleep Factory* • Sport Chek* • Sport Mart* • M&M Meats* • Hart* •Bay* IT wi n iml necessarily in all papers Remember, all inserts, including those on glossy paper, can be recycled with the rest of your newspaper through your Blue Box Recycling program. The Comfort Zone by Glenn Trider 2006 is here! What incentives are there for home owners? Were looking for some new people! 2006 came in with out being bitterly cold and Environment Canada is predicting a slightly warmer than average January and February. That is certainly good news for us home owners as less fuel is obviously required to keep our homes at 20°C inside when the weather is warmer out. Thanks to all of our customers for a great 2005. Our sales growth exceeded our forecast and 2006 economically looks promising. Remember the Rick Mercer ad on T.V.? boosb • Take the 1 Ton Challenge • ■ w* Well get involved! 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