Spring into Safety: May RIDE Campaign launches across Ottawa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 1:20 p.m.

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is launching Spring into Safety: May RIDEs, a citywide impaired driving awareness and enforcement campaign focused on transparency, prevention, and public accountability.

This high-visibility public safety initiative is designed to raise awareness, generate media attention, and reinforce the seriousness of impaired driving in Ottawa.

As part of the campaign, lawn signs reading “Impaired Driver Caught Here” will be placed at locations where impaired drivers have been stopped. These signs are intended to make the scope of the issue visible in neighbourhoods and support deterrence through clear, public messaging.

The campaign offers a powerful visual reminder of how frequently impaired driving occurs across the city, reinforcing that it is happening in our communities.

Until April 30^th, Ottawa saw 1 fatal collision linked to impaired driving, and 288 drivers were charged, marking a 22% increase from the same period last year.

In addition to enforcement, the initiative emphasizes prevention and public awareness, encouraging residents to plan ahead and never drive impaired.

Weekly RIDE programs will take place throughout the campaign, with updates and data shared regularly.

Spring into Safety: May RIDEs runs during Road Safety Week, supporting broader efforts to improve safety on Ottawa’s roads.

If you suspect someone is driving impaired, call 9-1-1. 

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.

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Through the Community Safety Data portal data.ottawapolice.ca, members of the public can view, download, and interact with data released by the Ottawa Police Service.

Help make your community safer: register your information and security camera location at CAMSafe.ca to support investigations.

CONTACT:
Ottawa Police Service Media Relations
Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

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