Thousands of drivers will face spot checks on Ontario roads and highways this holiday season. The annual Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) program was kicked-off by police and others on Thursday.

Nine police services from across the province will participate in RIDE. It means spot checks for motorists as police look for people who may be drinking and driving over the holidays.

"RIDE has taken dangerous people off our roads and highways – not just during the holiday season, but all year round," said Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Monte Kwinter said in a written statement

The holiday season RIDE spot checks start now and will last until January of 2006. The goal is obvious: to prevent people being killed in drinking and driving related accidents.

"Drinking and driving fatalities in Ontario have decreased by 48 percent since 1989, but there is more we can do," said Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar in a written statement. "The Festive RIDE program is an important reminder for all revellers to be smart and pick a designated driver at the start of the night because one alcohol-related death on our road is one too many."

However, some people want to make anti-drinking and driving laws stricter. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) would like to see the legal blood alcohol limit set at 0.5, down from the current 0.8 level.

It is an idea that is starting to get support from police officers.

"I think there is no safe limit of drinking and driving," Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair told CTV News.

Blair encourages people to make safer choices during holiday celebrations.

"If you're going to consume any alcohol, then make the right choice and find alternate modes of transportation," Blair said.

For people who don't, police check points will be set-up to stop them in their tracks.