Northern Ont. man charged with refusing breath demand: OPP

An Ontario Provincial Police officer speaks to a driver during a traffic stop in this undated police image. (File photo/Ontario Provincial Police/X)

An 18-year-old North Bay man is facing charges after police say he refused to provide a breath sample during a traffic stop early Sunday morning.

Ontario Provincial Police said the incident took place on Janey Avenue at about 3:20 a.m. on March 29, when an officer stopped a vehicle after observing that its rear running lights were not activated.

Stop leads to impairment investigation

OPP said during the interaction with the driver, the officer observed signs consistent with impairment by alcohol.

“The officer demanded a breath sample using an approved screening device, but the driver refused to comply and was subsequently placed under arrest,” the OPP said in a news release.

Following an investigation, the driver was charged with failing or refusing to comply with a demand and taking a motor vehicle without consent.

Consequences of refusal

“OPP reminds motorists that refusing to comply with a lawful demand, such as a breath test, or standardized field sobriety test, carries the same criminal consequences as an impaired driving conviction, including immediate roadside suspensions, fines, and potential jail time,” said police.

As a result, in addition to the charges, the accused received an immediate 90-day driver’s licence suspension.

The man was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on May 5.

“Drive sober,” added OPP Const. Kyler Brouwer in a social media post outlining the incident.