Nipissing West OPP says they have charged the 18th driver of 2020 with impaired in their jurisdiction.
Police say the charges stem from a complaint just before 2:00 p.m. on Sunday of a possible impaired driver near Jocko Point Road on Highway 17. Shortly after, officers found the vehicle and stopped it.
A 56-year-old from North Bay has been charged with:
- Operation While Impaired – Alcohol and Drugs
- Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 Plus)
The driver’s licence was suspended for 90 days and the vehicle has been impounded for seven days.
In 2019, Nipissing West OPP charged 62 drivers with impaired driving. One reason for the increase in numbers was the amalgamation of the West Nipissing Police with the OPP.
Another concern for some may come with the legalization of cannabis, but the increase in impaired drug charges comes from training, according Constable Michelle Coulombe.
“We have seen an increased in Impaired by Drugs but that is also due to the fact that more officers are now trained in Standard Field Sobriety Testing and as Drug Recognition Experts,” she explained. “As well, we don’t test just for cannabis. It includes a number of drugs.”
“As of December 18, 2018, the new Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS) Law allows police with an approved alcohol screening device the authority to demand a roadside breath sample from any lawfully stopped driver to determine whether a person has alcohol in their body, without first having to suspect the motorist has been drinking,” Coulombe continued. “It is mandatory for drivers to comply with this demand or they can be charged with failing or refusing to provide a breath sample. Officers have been using the MAS authority more frequently.”
She adds, if you suspect someone of impaired driving, call 911.
