Driver attempts to avoid northwestern Ont. RIDE check, OPP say

An Ontario Provincial Police image illustrating impaired operation charges. (File photo/Ontario Provincial Police/Facebook)

A festive RIDE program stop in northwestern Ontario has resulted in impaired charges against a 41-year-old individual from Kasabonika Lake First Nation.

The incident occurred at about 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 20 on Wellington Street in Sioux Lookout.

Attempt to evade checkpoint

“Officers observed a motor vehicle attempt to evade the RIDE program,” said Ontario Provincial Police in a news release.

Police initiated a traffic stop and said officers determined the driver was impaired by alcohol. The operator was taken into custody and brought to the Sioux Lookout OPP Detachment for further testing.

As a result of the investigation, the driver was charged with impaired driving and failure or refusal to comply with demand.

In addition to the charges, the motorist also received a 90-day driver’s licence suspension and the vehicle involved was impounded for seven days.

The accused was released and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 27.

Call to report impaired drivers

The OPP emphasized its ongoing efforts against impaired driving in its release.

“The Ontario Provincial Police remains committed to taking alcohol and drug impaired drivers off our roads, trails and waterways through enforcement and public education,” said police.

The OPP also urged the public to report suspected impaired drivers.

“If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, it is important to call 911 to report it,” said OPP.