Man arrested for impaired driving after refusing breath sample

A breathalyzer with handcuffs shown in this undated file image. Photo: DUFFERIN OPP

A Barrie man was arrested and charged with impaired driving after refusing to give a breath sample in Essa Township.

Nottawasaga OPP were conducting patrols Willoughby Road and the 5th Line in Essa Township when shortly after 8:30 a.m. officers found a driver asleep in a motor vehicle.

According to police, officers detected the smell of alcohol on the drivers breath and based off the drivers behaviour the officer formed a suspicion of impairment by alcohol and issued an approved screening device which the driver refused.

As a result, a 40-year-old man from Barrie was arrested and faces three charges including refusal to comply with demand, fail to surrender an insurance card, and fail to surrender permit for motor vehicle.

The drivers licence was suspended for 90 days while the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

OPP would like to remind residents that no amount of alcohol or drug is acceptable to consume and drive and failing to refuse or comply with a breath demand or intoxilyzer carries the same consequences as impaired driving charge.