R.I.D.E. (REDUCE IMPAIRED DRIVING IN ETOBICOKE): A DRIVING-WHILE-IMPAIRED COUNTERMEASURE PROGRAMME. ONE-YEAR EVALUATION

The Reduce Impaired Driving in Etobicoke (R.I.D.E.) is a counter-measure programme that is being conducted in Etobicoke (police district 2), a borough of Metropolitan Toronto and one of five police districts. The programme is based on the concept of general deterrence and involves two components, enforcement (by means of random spot-checks and roadside breath-testing that is aimed at increasing subjective and objective probabilities of risk apprehension) and education. There are some positive indicators of success, notably in the reduction in number of impaired drivers on the road, increased risk perception for being caught while drinking and driving, and increased knowledge on drinking and driving in Etobicoke, in favour of the merit of the R.I.D.E. programme, although by no means conclusive evidence in support of a reduction in alcohol-related accidents and injuries or changes in B.A.L.s. The results of this evaluation suggest numerous changes for the improvement of a R.I.D.E.-type programme and recommendations for improvement are offered.