Drunk driving calls yield 200 arrests
By Jeffrey Todd
The Toronto Star
March 13, 2008

Normally police don't encourage motorists to drive while talking on their cellphones. But when it comes to nabbing drunk drivers, authorities are making a big exception.

And the approach is working.

In 2006, York Region police received 935 calls from the road, and made 96 subsequent arrests. Since June, these numbers have skyrocketed, with 1,514 phone-ins and 200 arrests, Sgt. Bradley Bulmer said.

In other words, police have arrested more than twice as many drunk drivers through call-ins in nine months than in all of 2006.

"People need to take action," Bulmer said.

"We've really been getting the message out there to get people to lower their inhibitions. People are often reluctant to call."

The "Safe Road ... Your Call" campaign, launched in 2006, asks motorists to call 911 from the road to report suspected drunk drivers.

Bulmer attributes the increased calls to a greater feeling of social responsibility to stop drunk driving. He said people are starting to understand the police want to hear from them.

"Now people seem to be getting that they need to take part to get these guys off the road," he said.

Bulmer said the program includes road signs and posters.

Motorists sometimes even follow the suspect until the police catch up. "If they can follow them they will," he said. "That's certainly a benefit to us, as long as they do it safely," he said.

Carolyn Swinson, chair of the national board for MADD, said while York Region police are doing an excellent job with the program, motorists should never follow a drunk.

"We don't advocate people do that," she said. "They also have to make sure they are safe. Call the police, give them the information, but don't put yourself at risk."

Swinson said the program gives motorists the courage to speak up. "I think for a long time people would see drunk drivers but not know what to do. The message is out there now to get them off the road before they hurt someone."

She suggested other police departments in the GTA should follow York's example.

OPP Sgt. Cam Woolley said asking motorists to report drunk drivers is an approach the provincial police have encouraged for years. Commissioner Julian Fantino is on board with the initiative, Woolley said. "In the old days people had a problem ratting on each other," he said.

"Drinking and driving used to be a dirty little secret. The program is a good idea and it's important to take part."

On Tuesday, a motorist spotted a car around 10 a.m. weaving back and forth while travelling eastbound on Major Mackenzie Dr., near the town of Markham.

Police said the motorist called 911 and reported the licence plate number.

Using this information, authorities later caught up with the suspected drunk driver at home and arrested him. They also charged him with possession of marijuana.

While Bulmer admitted 1,314 calls turned out not to involve impaired driving, he said sometimes the suspected motorist ends up being charged with other offences.

He feels the end result is worth it.

Also see -

MADD Canada's Campaign 911