Driver charged with refusal following Highway 17 traffic stop

An undated photo of an Ontario Provincial Police traffic stop. (File photo/Ontario Provincial Police/Facebook)

A 37-year-old man from North Shore Township is facing a criminal charge after Ontario Provincial Police stopped his vehicle for lane wandering on Highway 17 in Huron Shores early Friday morning.

The incident occurred at about 12:15 a.m. on Oct. 10, after police on a general patrol observed the driver’s blue hatchback failing to maintain its lane. Upon stopping the vehicle and speaking with the motorist, the officer noted signs of alcohol consumption.

“A strong odour of alcoholic beverage was emanating from the driver’s breath and a beer can was observed by their foot,” said OPP in a news release.

The driver was taken into custody and subsequently charged with failing or refusing to comply with a demand after police alleged he refused to provide a breath sample.

Immediate sanctions applied

In addition to the criminal charges, under provincial law, all motorists charged with refusing to comply with a demand face the same immediate sanctions as those charged with impaired driving. Therefore, the motorist also received a 90-day driver’s licence suspension and the vehicle involved was impounded for seven days.

The accused is scheduled to appear in court in Elliot Lake on Dec. 4.

Police remind public to report impaired driving

OPP reiterated the dangers of impaired driving in the news release.

“OPP remind motorists that no amount of alcohol or drug is acceptable to consume and drive,” said police.

“Should you observe a suspected impaired driver, please dial 911 or contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.”