Two important community safety campaigns were launched on November 15^th to focus attention on roadway safety in Durham Region.

The annual DRPS Festive RIDE campaign and the regional Think & Drive campaign officially kicked off on Thursday, November 15 at Durham College’s Oshawa campus at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre.

The Durham Regional Police Service’s Festive RIDE campaign was recently recognized provincially as a model program that combines statistical analysis and community partnerships to catch drunk drivers. Over the past five years, 680 motorists have been charged with drinking and driving offences over the festive holidays.

The Durham Think and Drive Committee operates the Think and Drive Program, designed to educate motorists about safe driving practices. Committee partners include the Durham Region Health Department, Emergency Medical Services, the DRPS, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ministry of Transportation. The campaign will address the four main driving behaviours that lead to motor vehicle collisions and injuries – speeding, seatbelts, distracted driving and impaired driving.

Central to the Think and Drive campaign is the Road Safety Challenge, an online quiz that enables individuals to assess their driving behaviours. Individuals who complete the quiz can enter a contest to win an iPad2. Information on the campaign and the Road Safety Challenge can be found at durham.ca/thinkanddrive or facebook.com/durhamregionhealth.

“Partnering with the Durham Think and Drive road safety campaign is a great way to ensure our message reaches as many people as possible,” said DRPS RIDE acting sergeant Todd Gribbons.