MISSISSAUGA — They checked more cars, but charged fewer people.

While Peel Regional Police say it's a good sign that officers saw a 19 per cent drop in the number of drinking and driving charges laid during their most recent annual Holiday RIDE campaign, they're disappointed that 241 drivers were charged over the five-week campaign, which ended Jan. 1.

During last year's campaign, 295 motorists were charged.

Police checked 29,945 vehicles during RIDE spotchecks this year, a drop from the 25,532 inspected last season.

Officers also issued fewer licence suspensions this season as compared to last.

Since Nov. 22, 288 drivers have been hit with three-day licence suspensions, doled out when a driver comes close to, but doesn't exceed, the legal limit of alcohol.

Last year, officers issued 379 suspensions during the campaign.

During the OPP's campaign, which ran from Nov. 23 to Jan. 2, 578 people province-wide were charged with impaired driving-related offences. Another 481 warnings were issued to drivers who had 50-80 milligrams of alcohol in their blood.

By comparison, during last year's campaign, the OPP laid 693 impaired driving charges and issued 625 suspensions.

"While the OPP is pleased to see the numbers significantly lower in both categories, this year's charges still serve as a reminder that a small number of impaired drivers threatened the lives of other road users over the holidays," OPP Sgt. Dave Woodford said. "The OPP would like to see all Ontario drivers make driving sober a New Year's resolution for 2014."