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Bad habits developed during the COVID-19 pandemic may be one of the reasons police are finding more impaired drivers on the roads in Windsor and Essex County, said Chaouki Hamka, community leader for Mothers Against Drunk Driving Windsor & Essex County.
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“Post COVID, I think there’s some habits that were formed with the public, and people are making unsafe choices,” Hamka said.
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“People were limited to staying home, so when we talk about certain habits, maybe more alcohol consumption, more drug consumption, especially cannabis,” said Hamka at the kickoff of the MADD Red Ribbon Campaign at the Essex County, Essex Centre Sports Complex on Wednesday.
“Because people had nowhere to go, there was no festivities, there was no social parties to go to, people would sit home and enjoy those beverages or enjoy cannabis.”
But too many people got into their vehicles and drove after that, thinking they wouldn’t get caught, Hamka said.
“It’s one of those things that almost became a habit that people can shake off.”
The increase in impaired driving charges has been a trend since COVID ended. Across Ontario in 2023, OPP laid 11,142 charges of impaired driving, up nine per cent from 2022 and a 17 per cent increase from 2021.
Essex County OPP reported at the end of August this year that impaired driving charges to that point were up 16.6 per cent over 2023 with 140.
And in a one-week period at the end of November and the beginning of December, Windsor police charged seven people with impaired driving.
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Residents of Windsor and Essex are again being asked to wear a red ribbon during the holiday season as a visual reminder to drivers to make the decision not to drive after drinking.
Essex County OPP Detachment Commander Supt. Mark Loucas said there will be additional officers on the road to ensure public safety this Christmas season.
Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy said attempts are being made this year to increase education about drinking and driving.
“We’ve decided to step it up this year,” Bondy said. “We’re looking to do education on our social media. We’re also looking to do signs in our gateway entrances, so that people have daily reminders about the consequences of drinking and driving and to think first before you get into a car.”
Because of the rural nature of the county, residents must take extra precaution, she said.
“If you live in the county, sometimes it’s a little bit harder to call an Uber or to get a ride home, but that doesn’t give you an excuse to get in the car and drive, because the consequences can be deadly.”
She urged partygoers to be aware of possible drunk drivers before they get behind the wheel.
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“If you are at a holiday party and you think somebody has had too much to drink, have that conversation with them and talk to them about the impacts.”
Essex used to be one of the safer regions for impaired driving, said Hamka. “We’ve never seen numbers getting so high in the last few years. Unfortunately, we’ve seen higher numbers. We were labelled, I believe, as the fourth worst in Ontario.
“I’m here to plead to the public, I shouldn’t have to beg. Please don’t drive impaired. Make safe and responsible choices. Plan ahead for a safe ride home.
“It’s up to people to make those safe and responsible choices and to prevent each other from driving impaired, whether it’s calling a friend for a sober ride, calling a family member, calling an Uber or Lyft.”
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