Driver who had been drinking collides with guardrail on Hwy. 11

North Bay OPP responded to multiple reports of a vehicle that struck a guardrail and travelled down an embankment on Highway 11 in East Ferris. (OPP photo)

A 29-year-old from Bracebridge has been charged with careless driving and issued a warn‑range driver’s licence suspension after a single‑vehicle collision on Highway 11 near North Bay.

The incident took place around 10 p.m. March 18, Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release March 20.

“North Bay OPP responded to multiple reports of a vehicle that struck a guardrail and travelled down an embankment on Highway 11 in East Ferris,” police said.

“Officers located the vehicle and driver. An investigation determined the driver had been consuming alcohol.”

A roadside breath test registered an ‘alert’ reading and police issued an automatic seven-day driver’s licence suspension.

The suspect was also charged with careless driving. No serious injuries were reported, the OPP added.

“In Ontario, drivers who register a blood alcohol concentration in the warn‑range (0.05-0.079) face immediate roadside penalties,” police said.

New penalties in effect

“These penalties were updated effective Jan. 1.”

In addition to a seven-day suspension, the driver must also take an eight-hour education court and pay a $250 penalty.

For a second offence within 10 years, a suspect would receive a two-week licence suspension, a 16-hour education program and a $350 fine.

Three offences within 10 years would get you a 30-day licence suspension, 16 hours in an education program, a six-month ignition interlock condition and a $450 penalty.

“A licence reinstatement fee applies after each suspension,” police said.

“Drivers are reminded that no amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is safe when driving.”