Timmins police cite spike in impaired driving

A promoational photo of a Timmins Police Service vehicle with the city's headframe in the background. (File photo/Supplied/Timmins Police Service)

The Timmins Police Service says it responded to “a concerning number” of impaired driving incidents involving drugs and alcohol during the month of May.

“Officers have investigated numerous incidents ranging from erratic driving complaints to impaired drivers stopped through proactive enforcement initiatives, including RIDE programs conducted during Canada Road Safety Week,” said police in a news release on May 26.

Timmins police issued a reminder to motorists that impaired driving remains one of the leading criminal causes of death and injury in Canada.

“Choosing to operate a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs places not only the driver at risk, but passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists using our roadways,” police said.

Consequences and public warning

“The Timmins Police Service would like to remind the public that impaired driving carries significant criminal, financial, and personal consequences,” said police.

Drivers charged may face immediate roadside suspensions, vehicle impoundments, criminal charges, substantial fines, mandatory education programs, increased insurance costs, driving prohibitions and potential incarceration.

Police added that impaired driving decisions can permanently alter lives within seconds.

Authorities also encouraged members of the public to report suspected impaired drivers immediately.

Police similarly urged residents to plan ahead and arrange for a sober ride, or utilize designated drivers, taxis, rideshare services or public transportation – and never get behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

RIDE program results

During a RIDE program conducted on May 16, officers checked about 150 vehicles and approximately 60 approved screening device demands were administered.

As a result, one driver was arrested for impaired operation by drugs, two drivers received seven-day licence suspensions for registering blood alcohol concentrations above 50 milligrams, and another driver was charged for breaching probation conditions related to alcohol consumption.

A look at impaired incidents in May

Erratic driver at Hollinger Park

On May 2, Timmins police responded to reports of an erratic driver in the parking lot of Hollinger Park.

“Upon police arrival, the accused approached officers and displayed clear signs of recent drug use while publicly consuming alcohol,” said police.

Police said the individual became increasingly erratic, resisted arrest and assaulted a police officer before being taken into custody.

During the arrest, the police service said officers located fentanyl, cocaine and crystal methamphetamine in the accused’s possession.

As a result, the motorist, a 33-year-old local man, was charged with impaired driving, failure or refusal to comply with a demand, dangerous operation of a vehicle, resisting a peace officer, assaulting a peace officer and three counts of drug trafficking.

Hotel incident

On May 3, at about 3 a.m., police received a complaint regarding a stumbling individual believed to be impaired entering a vehicle outside a hotel on Riverside Drive. Officers conducted a traffic stop near Riverside Drive and School Road.

Police said the accused provided a breath sample into an approved screening device, which registered a ‘fail,’ indicating a blood alcohol concentration of more than 100 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

As a result, the driver, a 28-year-old woman from Kirkland Lake, was charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle and two impaired driving offences, including impaired operation with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

The accused’s vehicle was impounded for one week, their driver’s licence was seized and a 90-day licence suspension was issued.

Sterling Avenue arrest

On May 4, at approximately 1:39 a.m., police received a report of an impaired driver in the area of Sterling Avenue.

Police said officers located the vehicle and the driver provided a sample into an approved screening device, which registered a fail.

“The accused was arrested and transported to the Timmins Police Service for further testing but failed to provide suitable breath samples,” said police.

As a result of the investigation, the motorist, a 29-year-old local man, was charged with operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs and failure or refusal to comply with demand.

The accused’s driver’s licence was suspended for 90 days and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.

RIDE checkpoint arrest

On May 16, during Canada Road Safety Week, shortly before 11 p.m., a driver entered a RIDE checkpoint located at Algonquin Boulevard East and Father Costello Drive.

“Officers observed signs of impairment and conducted a standard field sobriety test, which the accused performed poorly on,” said police.

The accused was arrested and later underwent a drug recognition evaluation, where it was determined they were impaired by drugs and blood samples were obtained at the hospital.

As a result, the driver, a 20-year-old local man, was charged with two impaired driving offences.

The accused was released by way of an undertaking with a court date of June 30.

Morning arrest during Road Safety Week

On May 19, at about 10:28 a.m., police received a report of an impaired driver.

“Officers located the vehicle and the accused, who displayed clear signs of impairment,” said the Timmins Police Service.

Police said the accused resisted arrest and was brought under control by the officer.

The accused was transported to the police station for a drug recognition evaluation, which confirmed impairment by drugs and blood samples were taken at the hospital.

As a result, the motorist’s charges include two impaired driving offences and resisting a peace officer.

The vehicle was impounded for seven days and their driver’s licence was suspension for 90 days and seized.

Riverside Drive complaint

On May 19, at approximately 5:22 p.m., police received a complaint regarding a driver swerving across Riverside Drive.

Police said officers located the vehicle and observed signs of impairment.

“The accused performed poorly on standard field sobriety testing and was arrested,” said Timmins police.

Police said a subsequent drug recognition evaluation indicated impairment by drugs and blood samples were obtained at the hospital.

As a result, the motorist’s charges include two impaired driving offences and dangerous operation of a vehicle.

The accused’s driver’s licence was suspended for 90 days and the vehicle was impounded for one week.

Traffic stop on Kamiskotia Road

On May 21, officers from the traffic unit conducted a traffic stop with assistance from patrol officers after observing a vehicle travelling on Kamiskotia Road with an unauthorized licence plate.

“The investigation revealed the driver was prohibited from driving and showed signs of impairment by drugs,” said Timmins police.

Police said officers also seized suspected controlled substances during the investigation. As a result, the driver was arrested and charged with impaired driving and drug possession-related offences.

The vehicle was towed and impounded.

Collision on Shirley Street North

On May 22, at about 6:30 p.m., Timmins police responded to a single motor vehicle crash in the area of Shirley Street North.

“The vehicle, which was towing a trailer carrying a pontoon boat, reportedly lost control after taking a corner too quickly,” said police.

Police said officers approached the accused and observed signs of impairment as well as an open bottle of alcohol in the front seat of the vehicle.

Officers said the accused was read the approved screening device demand and provided a breath sample, which registered a fail.

The accused was arrested and transported to the station to provide breath samples to an Intoxilyzer 9000 technician.

As a result, the motorist’s charges include two impaired driving offences, including impaired operation with a blood alcohol concentration over 80, and dangerous operation of a vehicle.

The accused’s driver’s licence was seized, the vehicle was impounded for seven days and a 90-day administrative driver’s licence suspension was issued.

Complaint on Mountjoy Street South

On May 23, at approximately 5 a.m., police received a complaint regarding an impaired driver in the area of Mountjoy Street South.

“The complainant reported the vehicle was swerving across the roadway and had nearly collided with another motorist,” said police.

The local police service said officers located the vehicle and observed signs of impairment.

The accused was asked to provide a breath sample into an approved screening device, which registered a fail.

The accused was arrested and transported to the station to provide breath samples to an Intoxilyzer 9000 technician.

As a result, the motorist’s charges include two impaired driving offences, including impaired operation with a blood alcohol concentration over 80, and dangerous operation of a vehicle.

The accused was a 90-day administrative driver’s licence suspension and the physical licence was seized by police.