Launch of Festive Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere Campaign

For Connie Beatty, the loss of her 22-year-old daughter Rebecca has left an irreplaceable emptiness. “As hard as it is to retell the events of our worst day and trying hard to find a way to rebuild our broken hearts, the hope of spreading awareness is what gives me strength that perhaps I can change someone’s life from this tragedy,” she said at this year’s provincial Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) launch hosted by Toronto Police Service’s (TPS) 23 Division on November 20. On October 3, 2022, Rebecca Beatty and her close friend were driving near Trenton when they were killed in a collision with an impaired driver “Honouring Rebecca and her dear friend’s memory has become of high importance to me. They will not have died in vain and be forgotten. Creating awareness in hopes of saving others is my mission.” Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has been a powerful voice in the fight against impaired driving for decades, advocating for stronger laws, better enforcement and greater public education. “Despite progress, hundreds of Canadians are killed every year and thousands more are injured because of impaired driving,” said Chief Executive Officer Steve Sullivan. “It remains one of the leading causes of criminal death in Canada, if not the leading cause. Every day, someone’s life is tragically impacted by someone else’s choice to drive while impaired. None of us ever thinks it will happen to us, but it happens to someone every day.” As of October 31, TPS arrested 1,194 people for impaired driving, resulting in 2,603 alcohol and drug-related charges. TPS Superintendent Catherine Jackson said the provincial RIDE launch reflects Ontario’s police services collective approach to impaired driving and reinforces their united efforts to educate, raise awareness and enforce safe driving practices. “Impaired driving is 100 percent preventable, and we will do everything we can to stop it.” she said, of the enhanced enforcement efforts by police across the province. “We cannot do this work alone. The fight against impaired driving requires strong partnerships… Everyone deserves to go home safely to their families during the holiday season and every day of the year.”