Thirteen people have been charged in Niagara for criminal impaired driving offences between Feb. 2 and Feb. 14, the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) have announced.

“The Niagara Regional Police Service is committed to reducing impaired driving offences through education and the apprehension of offenders through enforcement programs like R.I.D.E.,” the NRPS said.

“Impaired driving is still the leading cause of criminal deaths in Canada and affects thousands of lives every year,” they added.

The thirteen individuals have been charged criminally with impaired driving by alcohol or drugs, driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 80 mgs or above of alcohol in 100 ml of blood, or refusing to provide a breath/blood sample, according to police.

Those charged also face a 90 day driver’s licence suspension and are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle on a roadway.

“The public is encouraged to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service Traffic Safety Hotline or Crime Stoppers to report those who are driving in contravention of the suspension,” police said.