Police note rise in impaired drivers as another person arrested with drugs, alcohol

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) laid multiple charges after a dangerous traffic incident ended in arrest in Madoc, Ont. this past Sunday.

The driver — a Belleville resident — is facing numerous drug and alcohol charges following erratic driving while impaired, reported OPP X post. It is just the latest example of impaired driving in eastern Ontario alarming police and causing dangerous conditions on roadways.

OPP Media Relations Officer, Bill Dickson told CityNews in an email that OPP East Region has investigated 694 impaired driving incidents as of July 31. This reflects a five per cent increase from the previous five-year average from January to July.

“Any increase is concerning,” he said. “One impaired driver is one too many.”

On Aug. 25, an officer was on Highway 62 near Madoc shortly before 6:30 p.m. They reported a fast-moving pickup truck heading north on the highway.

“It was being driven erratically, crossing the centre line and swerving onto the shoulder,” police said.

The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver accelerated to over 150 km/h in an 80 zone. The Belleville man was driving toward an ongoing investigation — following a fatal collision that took place earlier that day — posing a safety risk.

Eventually, the driver pulled over and OPP arrested the man. Officers located cannabis products and alcohol in the vehicle, and the accused was transported to the detachment for testing.

The 40-year-old male driver has been charged with:

• Operation while impaired – alcohol and drug
• Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
• Dangerous operation
• Flight from a peace officer
• Driving with cannabis readily available
• Having care and control of a vehicle with cannabis readily available
• Having care and control of a vehicle with liquor readily available
• Stunt driving – excessive speed

The accused has been released and will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville.

In efforts to curb the rise in impaired driving, OPP said they are working to educate people and are encouraging the public to report suspected impaired drivers.

Additionally, the police are conducting RIDE programs year-round and release information when someone is charged with impaired driving, they added.

“We know that impaired driving can be deadly. Those who are caught, even without killing innocent people, face significant financial penalties including fines, temporary loss of their diver’s licence and vehicle, insurance hikes,” Dickson said.