G1 driver had cannabis, alcohol in car, blew above zero: OPP

An undated photo of an Ontario Provincial Police vehicle parked in northern Ontairo. (File photo/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Ontario Provincial Police have charged a 40-year-old man from Vermillion Bay with multiple offences following a traffic stop last week in Dryden.

OPP said officers stopped a vehicle on Government Street East at about 4 p.m. on June 10 after noticing it was driving erratically.

Police said the driver was a G1 licence holder and was operating the vehicle without a required accompanying fully licenced driver.

Further, officers said a search of the vehicle conducted under the Cannabis Control Act found a cannabis vape in the centre console, an open beer can under the passenger seat and an open bottle of whiskey in the back.

OPP said the man blew above the mandatory zero alcohol limit for novice drivers.

Novice driver alcohol rules explained

“Although the roadside test showed a ‘pass,’ in Ontario both novice drivers and commercial motor vehicle drivers must maintain a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood,” said OPP communications advisor Erin McCrea, in an email to CTV News.

As a result, the motorist was charged with driving with G1 licence without an accompanying driver, novice driver operating with a BAC above zero and for operation of a vehicle with alcohol and cannabis readily available.

“The driver’s licence was also suspended for seven days,” the OPP said in a social media post detailing the incident.

Safety reminder from police

OPP used the incident to remind drivers to stay focused and sober.

“Impaired driving, whether by alcohol, drugs or both, it puts everyone on the road at risk,” the OPP said.

“If you’re a G1 or novice driver, the rules are even stricter for a reason.”