OPP lay 12 impaired driving charges in North Bay area in July

OPP crackdown over Civic weekend nets 26 impaired drivers in the region. Authorities urge safety as summer travel continues, noting a rise in impaired charges.

North Bay’s Ontario Provincial Police detachment charged a dozen motorists with impaired driving-related offences in July – including cases involving drugs, alcohol and dangerous driving incidents.

OPP released details of the arrests on Tuesday, highlighting a range of incidents – from traffic stops to collisions and even a threat investigation involving a crossbow.

Drug and alcohol impairment lead to charges

On July 7, officers conducted a traffic stop on a parked vehicle near Duchesnay Falls and arrested a 64-year-old North Bay man for drug-impaired driving. He faces charges of operation while impaired by drugs and operating with a blood drug concentration.

“Drug-impaired and alcohol-impaired driving have always been illegal and this has not changed since the legalization of cannabis,” police stated. “Impaired driving is dangerous regardless of the source of impairment.”

Another arrest occurred in Restoule on July 1, when officers observed a 52-year-old Golden Valley man inside a business showing signs of alcohol consumption before driving. He was charged with having a blood alcohol concentration over 80 mg.

“Whether you are impaired by alcohol or drugs, impaired is impaired,” police said. “Driving under the influence of either is a criminal offence and poses a serious risk to public safety.”

Rollover crashes highlight dangers of impaired driving

Two separate rollover collisions in the region on July 8 and July 19 led to impaired driving charges.

In the first incident, a 58-year-old Winona man crashed a side-by-side vehicle into a hydro pole on Booth Road in Astorville. Officers determined he had been drinking and he faces multiple charges, including careless driving and operating while prohibited.

The second crash occurred on Highway 11 when a 23-year-old North Bay man lost control of his vehicle in the early morning hours. He was charged with impaired operation.

“Drivers who are impaired by drugs or alcohol continue to pose a significant threat on Ontario roads,” police warned.

Traffic stops uncover drugs, weapons

A July 8 traffic stop west of North Bay led to drug trafficking charges after officers pulled over a speeding vehicle and found suspected crystal methamphetamine, methamphetamine and cannabis. The 48-year-old Sturgeon Falls man faces multiple charges, including speeding, drug trafficking, drug possession and impaired driving.

In another case, a July 24 traffic stop north of North Bay resulted in drug-impaired driving charges for a 34-year-old Peterborough man, while a passenger – a 47-year-old Cardiff man – was arrested on weapons-related offences, including carrying a concealed weapon.

Public reports and RIDE checks aid enforcement

A 911 call on July 20 led to the arrest of a 64-year-old Pembroke man in Bonfield after a witness reported a suspected impaired driver.

“OPP thanks the public for reporting suspected impaired drivers,” police said. “Calling 911 in these situations can help prevent serious harm on our roads.”

Additionally, a RIDE program checkpoint in Mattawa on July 25 caught a 61-year-old local man entering the stop with alcohol in his system.

Suspended driver and threats incident add to July charges

On July 26, a 63-year-old Corbeil man was arrested in Callander after an automated licence plate reader flagged him as a suspended driver. Officers also determined he was impaired by alcohol.

That same day, a 31-year-old Mattawa man was charged with assault with a weapon and impaired driving after allegedly brandishing a crossbow during a threat-related incident.

Authorities remind motorists of impaired driving consequences

“Make the right choice and always drive sober,” OPP said in a social media post on Aug. 3.

Police reiterated that refusing a breathalyzer or drug evaluation carries the same penalties as an impaired driving charge, including criminal charges, licence suspension, vehicle impoundment and possible jail time.

In addition to the charges all of the accused motorists received 90 driver’s licence suspensions and the vehicles involved in the incidents were impounded for a minimum of seven days at the owner’s expense.

All of the accused were released with future court appearances scheduled in the coming months.