Cobourg Police move from RIDE to STEP

Courtesy of Cobourg Police Service

By Cecilia Nasmith

Building on the success of the holiday Festive RIDE program, Cobourg Police Service welcomed in the new year with STEP.

The Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere program ended with the holiday season, but January and February saw efforts continue to combat impaired driving through their Selective Traffic Enforcement Program.

STEP efforts focus on a given concern, such as speeding in school zones, and impaired driving was the target early in 2026 as officers maintained an increased presence on Cobourg roadways with the emphasis on detecting and deterring impaired driving. This resulted in eight RIDE programs over the two months, during which officers checked more than 1,300 vehicles.

Along with numerous cautions for various Highway Traffic Act offences, there were five Approved Screening Device demands and three arrests for impairment (two by alcohol, one by drugs).

Impaired driving remains one of the leading causes of serious and fatal collisions. Alcohol, drugs and fatigue can significantly impair a driver's ability to react, make safe decisions and maintain control of a vehicle.

Cobourg Police Service Constable Taylor Emmerton said this is a year-round concern, not just a holiday effort.

“Continuing RIDE programs into January and February reinforces the message that driving while impaired will not be tolerated, and that public safety remains our priority every day of the year,” Constable Emmerton said in the announcement.

The Cobourg Police Service thanks members of the community for their co-operation during RIDE initiatives, and encourages residents to continue reporting suspected impaired drivers by calling 911.