Police forces across Ontario are watching an experiment in the Toronto area aimed at shaming potential drunk drivers into making the right decision when they've overindulged.

The Whitby-based Durham Regional Police Service has begun publicizing the names, ages and hometowns of people who've been charged with impaired driving, posting them on the force's website and making them available to local newspapers.

"From my perspective, it is appropriate to release the names because it is one of the more serious offences out there," police Chief Vernon White told the Toronto Star earlier this month.

The naming tactic has been in place since late November, during the Durham Regional Police Service's annual Festival RIDE roadside check program.

In its first four weeks, 56 charged drivers were named on the website of the force, which polices Oshawa, Pickering, Whitby, Ajax and a number of smaller communities.

Not effective for hard-core drinkers?

The theory is that the threat of having an incident publicized will make some people think twice about trying their luck behind the wheel when they've been drinking — but other Ontario forces are dubious about whether the tactic will work.

Sgt. Charles Boyles is in charge of RIDE programs for the Kingston police.

He likes the fact police forces are trying different ideas but isn't convinced this one will affect hard-core drinkers.

"It's the chronic offenders that we have issues with," he told CBC News. "They're not necessarily going to read the newspapers or listen to the radio and they're not really going to care about what other people are doing with drinking and driving."

Embarrassment not necessarily a deterrent

Durham's new initiative has also caught the attention of police in Ottawa.

Staff-Sgt Rick Lavigne is skeptical about its value but says he'll keep an eye on the project.

"I'm sure there's a component with respect to embarrassment, but is it enough of a deterrent? I don't believe so."

Lavigne says the best approach is to conduct RIDE programs and saturate communities with public education.

Tactic worth a try: MADD

Andrew Murie from Mothers Against Drunk Driving says there's no magical answer for fighting the problem.

However, he believes anything that makes drunk drivers rethink their decision to drive is worth trying.

"I give a lot of credit to the police chief in Durham," he said. "They're going to try everything they can to reduce the numbers in that community."