Sharing RIDE locations on navigation apps could have ‘devastating consequences’: Durham police

Durham police are warning drivers against sharing RIDE locations on navigation apps as it could have "devastating consequences." Thursday evening, the Durham Regional Police Services (DRPS) shared that a RIDE location was shared dozens of times on the popular app Waze.

Not long after setting up the RIDE line it was reported to Waze in excess of 100 times. Sharing RIDE locations could have devastating consequences.

Keeping our roadways safe is a shared responsibility. #drpsride23 pic.twitter.com/l1wqTwrmxi [1][2]

-- Durham Regional Police (@DRPS) November 24, 2023 [3]

"Not long after setting up the RIDE line it was reported to Waze in excess of 100 times," DRPS posted on X Thursday night. "Sharing RIDE locations could have devastating consequences." The post has since garnered reaction from residents online.

"Do not share ride programs, the police are out there to protect us all," one social media user responded.

I have always opposed this functionality of Waze, it can have serious consequences but sadly we wdon't thibk beyond personal interests

-- Manpreet (@Manpree81620785) November 24, 2023 [4]

"Although I understand the point made, there is also the factor of road safety. Posts like this make honest drivers slow down and prepare to "move over". The "Waze" reporting system is an important tool warning motorists of dangers ahead," said another.

RIDE is an acronym for Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere [5], a sobriety testing program targeting impaired driving. "Sharing a [RIDE] location could encourage impaired drivers to choose an alternative route," DRPS Sgt. Joanne Bortoluss told Now Toronto in a statement.

"Keeping our roadways safe is a shared responsibility." Carolyn Swinton is the director of victim services for the Toronto chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving [6] (MADD), an organization that works to stop impaired driving and provide support for those impacted by it. She says she supports many victims who have lost somebody in impaired driving crashes.

"I know firsthand what it is like. I've lost two family members myself, but I also know so many people who have lost family members. And we all have a responsibility to stop it."

She shared that RIDE programs are particularly important during the holiday season when people are going out more often and celebrating. "[The programs] send a very clear message to people that [police] are out on the roads to stop people who are driving impaired. It's a deterrent."

According to MADD Canada [7], impaired drivers are responsible for the deaths of an average of four people, and the injuries of 175 people every 24 hours in Canada. "On average 1,500 Canadians are killed every year and almost 64,000 are injured due to impaired driving," reads the MADD Canada website. "In Ontario, 41% of motor vehicle crashes are caused by an impaired driver."

Swinson echoed DRPS, saying it is irresponsible to use apps and social media to let others know where RIDE programs are set up. "If they could only understand that they may be giving the heads up to someone who is impaired to go around that program, and that person may get into a crash where someone could be killed or injured." "We all deserve to be on the roads safe from people driving impaired.

We all want to come home safely," Swinson continued.

References

^ #drpsride23 (twitter.com)
^ pic.twitter.com/l1wqTwrmxi (t.co)
^ November 24, 2023 (twitter.com)
^ November 24, 2023 (twitter.com)
^ Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (www.drps.ca)
^ Mothers Against Drunk Driving (madd.ca)
^ MADD Canada (maddchapters.ca)