Despite the recent conclusion of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Festive Ride campaign, impaired driving remains a serious concern in Prince Edward County. The province-wide campaign ran from Nov. 20, 2025, to Jan. 1, 2026, resulting in more than 700 impaired driving arrests, including 150 in the East Region.
Since Jan. 1, 2026, the OPP Prince Edward County Detachment has charged two additional drivers. On Jan. 10, a 40-year-old from Hillier was arrested after a motor vehicle collision and charged with operation while impaired and operation while impaired with a blood alcohol concentration over 80. On Jan. 14, a 19-year-old from Lindsay was arrested following another collision and charged with operation while impaired, operation while impaired over 80, and novice driver blood alcohol above zero.
Both individuals were released and will appear in Picton court at a later date. The OPP reminds drivers that new impaired driving penalties took effect Jan. 1 and urges everyone to make safe choices and never drive impaired. More information is available on the Ontario government website.
Written by Emily Chatwood
