More impaired drivers stopped in northern Ont.: OPP

Some not getting the message on impaired driving Since the start of the Festive RIDE campaign in mid-November provincial police in our region have charged 87 people with impaired driving.

More impaired driving charges have been laid by provincial police in northern Ontario.

After July ended with officers issuing several impaired driving charges in the region Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested and charged more people for driving under the influence.

On Aug. 2 at about 2 a.m., OPP responded to a report of a pickup truck in a ditch in Moonbeam, Ont.

“Police located the ditched vehicle on Lefebvre Peninsula Road in Moonbeam,” said police in a news release.

“Upon speaking with the driver, police determined that they had been consuming an alcoholic beverage.”

As a result of the testing and investigation by police, the driver, a 57-year-old woman from Timmins, Ont. was charged with two counts of impaired driving.

Unlicensed and impaired

Later in the day, about 4:30 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop o Highway 11 in Hearst, Ont.

“Officers located an open container of alcohol within the vehicle upon a search,” said police.

The police investigation determined the driver, a 37-year-old man from Constance Lake, Ont., had no driver’s licence.

As a result, the man faces three impaired driving charges and two charged related to having open alcohol in the vehicle in addition to the charged for driving without a licence.

Criminal charges

About an hour later at about 5:30 p.m. on Friday, the OPP responded to a traffic complaint on the same Highway, this time south of Cochrane. The complaint indicated the vehicle concerned was “driving at excessive speeds” on Highway 11.

“Police observed the vehicle on Third Avenue in Cochrane and attempted a traffic stop,” said police.

“The vehicle proceeded through a roundabout in the wrong direction before coming to a stop on Second Avenue.”

After the vehicle was stopped police spoke with the driver and determined he had been consuming alcohol.

“The driver was arrested and transported to the Cochrane detachment for further testing,” said police.

As a result of the OPP investigation, a 20-year-old man has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle along with two impaired driving offences.

In addition to charges

In addition to the charges, the three northern Ontario drivers also had their licenses suspended for 90 days and the vehicles involved were impounded by police for seven days at the owner’s expense.

All accused were released and are scheduled to appear in court in September of this year.

Don’t drive impaired

“Drivers are reminded that no amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is safe when driving,” said police in social media posts related to the incidents.

“Keep our roads safe, don’t drive impaired.”

Police has seen an increase in locals and visitors this summer enjoying the scenic roads, lakes, and cottage areas.

“Unfortunately, an increasing amount of impaired drivers have continued to endanger the lives of those on our roads and waterways,” said OPP HQ in a news release on Thursday.

“The OPP remains committed in its zero-tolerance policy towards impaired driving, whether it's alcohol or drugs.”

Police officials said that the number of impaired driving incidents “has been steadily increasing with the nice weather.”

“If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, it is important to call 911 to report it. In doing so, you may save a life,” said police.

“Let's work together and prioritize safety to ensure a memorable summer for everyone.”

Serious consequences

Impaired driving is a crime under the Criminal Code of Canada and upon conviction, drives may; lose their licence, have their vehicle impounded, need to attend an education or treatment program, be required to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle or even face jail time and end up with a criminal record.

“If police determine that you are driving while impaired, you will face penalties immediately,” said police.