R.I.D.E. Program Out In Full Force For New Year’s

Posted December 31, 2006 12:00 pm.

This article is more than 5 years old.

Don’t drink and drive.

It’s really not a complicated message, but it never seems to get all the way through to some people, and on perhaps the biggest drinking night of the year police across the GTA are doing their part to send it one more time for 2006.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), an estimated 2.3 million Canadians drive while impaired each year, killing an average of 4.5 people a day and injuring 125 more.

“The numbers are almost the same from last year’s totals and the amount of vehicles stopped are up considerably,” said Toronto Police Staff Sgt. Keith Haines.

“There are some 86,000 vehicles stopped and at that time there was a total of 59 drinking and driving charges.”

Officers from every Toronto Police division will be taking part in spot checks across the city.

Peel, Durham and York Regional Police, as well as the Ontario Provincial Police will also be part of this year’s R.I.D.E. Program, and they’re all reminding you to take it easy and always remember your options when it comes to transportation.

“The alternatives are public transit, designated drivers, and if you’re having a house party make sure your guests are in proper shape,” said Sgt. Haines.

“There’s lots of alternatives, there’s no excuse for drinking and driving.”

R.I.D.E. checks will begin at 7pm on New Year’s Eve and wrap up around 5am on New Year’s Day.

New Year’s Eve Transit

T.T.C.

The Red Rocket has extra service on surface routes and on the subway to meet the late night demand and help you get where you’re going – like Citytv’s traditional New Year’s Eve bash that’s free at Nathan Phillips Square. Here’s the schedule.

Most bus and streetcar routes with late-evening service continue until 3am

Extra trips on all Blue Night routes between 3am and 4am

Last trains on the Yonge-University-Spadina Subway leave Union Station at 2:31am for Finch Station and 2:36am for Downsview Station.

Last trains on the Bloor-Danforth Subway leave Bloor-Yonge Station at 2:38am for Kipling Station and at 2:38am for Kennedy Station.

Last train on the Scarborough RT leaves Kennedy Station at 3:04am for McCowan Station.

Last train on the Sheppard Subway leaves Sheppard-Yonge Station at 2:58am for Don Mills Station.

GO Transit

Lakeshore West GO Train & Bus service

The last westbound train will leave Union Station thirty minutes later, at 1:13am making all stops to Oakville. The connecting bus trip will also be adjusted.

Lakeshore East GO Train & Bus service

The 11:13pm eastbound train trip will leave Union Station thirty minutes later, at 11:43, and will travel to Oshawa. The connecting bus trip will also be adjusted.

The last eastbound train trip will leave Union Station one hour later, at 1:13am and will travel to Oshawa. The connecting bus trip will also be adjusted.

Taking this route has some other advantages besides avoiding the dangers of drinking and driving – all GO buses and trains will be free New Year’s Eve between 7pm and the time the service shuts down, just after 1am.

Brampton Local, Hwy. 27, and Hwy. 427 GO Bus services

A special late-night westbound bus trip will leave York Mills at 2:10am, making all stops to Brampton. Service will also be free between 7:30pm and 3am. For more details, click here. (.pdf file)

Mississauga Transit

They’ve adjusted their schedule for the big holiday too and will also let you take a free ride on New Year’s Eve starting at 7pm. Click here for more. (.pdf file)

Durham Transit

Free from 8pm to 2AM. The schedule is here.

York Region Transit

Another freebie after 7pm. Click here for the schedule. (.pdf file)

Why isn’t the T.T.C. free on New Year’s Eve?

Designated Driver Service

Keys To Us – Durham Region

(905) 433-2005

1-866-879-1231

Website: keystous.com

Toronto Cab Companies:

For more information call 416-TAXICAB