1 Ontario town, 2 impaired charges, 5 minutes: OPP

A glass of liquor with ice, car keys and police handcuffs are shown in this stock photo illustrating the concept of impaired driving. (File photo/AlexRaths/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Ontario Provincial Police have charged two individuals with impaired driving offences following separate incidents that occurred within minutes of each other in Armour Township.

Traffic stop on Chetwynd Road

At about 10:15 p.m. on June 1, OPP said officers observed an individual operating an e-bike using the electric motor on Chetwynd Road. A traffic stop was initiated, and officers observed signs consistent with impairment by alcohol.

“The driver was arrested and transported to the Almaguin Highlands OPP detachment for further testing,” said police in a news release.

As a result of the investigation, a 73-year-old local man has been charged with operation of a vehicle while prohibited along with two impaired driving offences, including operation with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood

Second stop on Skyline Drive

Then about 10:20 p.m. that same evening, police said officers conducted a traffic stop on Skyline Drive after locating a vehicle stopped in the middle of the roadway.

“Police spoke with the driver and made observations consistent with impairment by alcohol,” said OPP.

Police said this driver was also taken into custody and transported to the local detachment for further testing.

As a result, a 32-year-old man from Kearney has been charged with two impaired driving offences – including having a BAC of more than 80.

Other penalties

In addition to the charges, both men received a 90-day driver’s licence suspensions and the vehicles involved was impounded for seven days.

Both accused individuals are scheduled to appear in court in CCCon July 9.

Public reminder against impaired driving

The provincial police service used the incident to emphasize the dangers of impaired driving.

OPP said that alcohol and drugs affect one’s ability to operate any type of vehicle safely – including electric bicycles.

If you suspect an impaired driver, contact 911 immediately.

“Drive sober,” added Const. Kyler Brouwer in a related social media post.

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