Officers with the Huronia West detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) laid multiple criminal and driving charges this weekend, seized several vehicle,s and suspended five driver's licences this weekend during road patrols.
According to a news release, police were out on local roads to target dangerous driving behaviours.
Among the charges laid this weekend was a drunk driving charge for a 59-year-old Innisfil resident. Police say they were called about a "suspicious vehicle" in Clearview Township at about 7 p.m. on Nov. 25. Officers determined the driver had been consuming alcohol. They charged him with operating a vehicle while impaired and operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content over 80 mg. Police suspended the driver's licence and seized the vehicle for seven days.
On the same evening, just after midnight, an officer clocked a vehicle on Highway 26 in Springwater going 140 km/h in an 80 zone. Police suspended the driver's licence for 30 days and the vehicle was impounded for 14 days. The driver, a Wasaga Beach resident was charged with stunt driving.
At 2:15 a.m. on Nov. 26, OPP set up a RIDE check in Springwater and, shortly after, report a driver approached with "obvious signs of impairment." A 46-year-old Springwater Township resident was charged with operating a vehicle while impaired and operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content over the legal limit. Both the licence and the vehicle were seized in this case too.
On Nov. 26 at 10 p.m., Police set up a RIDE check, again in Springwater, and again noted a driver approaching with signs of impairment. Police say they conducted a roadside test, which resulted in the driver's licence being suspended.
The same night, on Bayfield Street in Springwater, police clocked a vehicle travelling 119 km/h in a 70 km/h zone. Once stopped, police say the driver showed signs of impairment. Police charged the 35-year-old Midhurst resident with operating a vehicle while impaired (drugs and/or alcohol), driving while blood alcohol content is over the legal limit, and stunt driving. Both the licence and vehicle were seized.
"It is unfortunate that police continue to see dangerous related driving incidents on such a frequent basis," stated a news release by Huronia West OPP. "However, police would like to emphasize that this behaviour will not be tolerated and drivers choosing to put themselves and others at risk on our roadways will have severe consequences and be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."
The OPP encourages anyone who suspects an impaired or dangerous driver to call 9-1-1 immediately.
