Update #3: Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 2:49 p.m.
The Saint John Police would like to clarify that although there were no impaired driving arrests during the 2025 Festive RIDE Campaign, 15 Immediate Roadside Suspensions (IRS) were made.
Changes to the New Brunswick Motor Vehicle Act took place on January 1, 2025, which provided peace officers discretion to issue an IRS or to lay criminal charges for those who fail a roadside test.
The IRS program includes a three-month licence suspension, 12-month mandatory ignition interlock, impaired driver re-education course, and other fines and fees. Choosing the IRS option allows for penalties to begin immediately following the three-month suspension compared to going through a court proceeding. If an impaired driver causes serious bodily harm or death or has a passenger under the age of 16 in the vehicle at the time of the offence, IRS is not an option.
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Update #2: Monday, January 5, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.
The Saint John Police, in partnership with the New Brunswick Department of Justice and Public Safety, and the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force, are pleased to announce another successful year for the Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) Campaign.
The final results for the 2025 RIDE Campaign and annual comparisons are as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| Vehicles through checkpoint | 4,394 | 6,250 | 11,138 | 6,965 | 7,428 |
| Breath tests conducted | 692 | 708 | 1,157 | 759 | 648 |
| Immediate Roadside Suspension (IRS) fail | 15 | – | – | – | – |
| Seven-day suspensions | 11 | 16 | 28 | 19 | 8 |
| Impaired arrests | 0 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 5 |
| Refusals | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Vehicles impounded | 30 | 14 | 16 | 27 | 16 |
| Suspended drivers | 8 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 9 |
| Prohibited drivers | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
The Saint John Police would like to thank the public for their continued support. Ensuring the safety of our roadways remains a priority throughout the year, not only during the month of December. We look forward to working with the community to maintain safe roads in the year ahead.
Together a safe, secure, healthy community
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Update: Monday, December 8, 2025, at 1:45 p.m.
The Saint John Police along with the New Brunswick Department of Justice and Public Safety, and the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force, have completed the first weekend of Festive RIDE.
The following are the numbers so far this month:
- 1326 vehicles through checkpoint
- 174 mandatory screenings conducted
- 5 immediate roadside suspensions
- 1 seven-day suspension
- 7 vehicles towed
- 2 suspended drivers issued
- 1 arrest unrelated to RIDE
The Festive RIDE will continue throughout the month of December at various locations throughout Saint John and the Kennebecasis Valley.
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The Saint John Police is partnering with the New Brunswick Department of Justice and Public Safety, and the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force to conduct our annual Festive RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) Campaign during the month of December 2025.
According to MADD Canada, hundreds of Canadians are killed in alcohol and drug-related crashes every year. Their latest statistics show that nearly 78,000 federal charges and provincial short-term license suspensions were handed out over a year; that is an average of nine every hour.
Throughout the month of December, police and public safety officers, including experts in drug recognition, will conduct checkpoints and roaming patrols at various locations throughout Saint John and the Kennebecasis Valley targeting impaired driving infractions.
With the holiday season approaching, the Saint John Police urge residents and visitors to plan ahead by designating a sober driver. Collectively, we share the responsibility of keeping our roads safe. If you suspect an impaired driver, report it to the police immediately.
Together a safe, secure, healthy community
For more news, visit News | Saint John Police Force
