(ESSEX COUNTY, ON) –Essex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has witnessed a sharp rise recently in the number of impaired driving related arrests and motor vehicle collisions in Essex County.
With the mass of education and information available to the public via numerous media sources, dictating the pitfalls of operating a motor vehicle or vessel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it is alarming to see that some still do not heed this warning.
The public are reminded that upon being charged with Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle or Exceed 80 Milligrams Blood Alcohol Content under the Criminal Code of Canada, they face an immediate, automatic 90 day driver’s licence suspension. In addition, drivers are subjected to court and lawyer costs and upon conviction a further licence suspension, a criminal record and insurance rate increases.
Message from Inspector Glenn Miller, Essex County OPP Detachment Commander
“As we approach the August 1st Civic Holiday and long weekend, Essex County OPP is expecting the normal summer surge in traffic and marine related activity. Regardless of your plans for this coming weekend, I once again encourage all people who will be operating motor vehicles and vessels to respect our drinking and driving laws. Over the past several days you have been reading of the number of impaired drivers being arrested by Essex County OPP members. The vigilance by our officers is augmented through tremendous community support, who are immediately notifying the OPP of suspected drunk drivers.
For those of you that choose not to take advantage of the sage advice of family and friends and decide to drive impaired, the community will be looking for you and you can expect to meet one of our officers. Is that vehicle travelling toward you or from behind, being operated by an individual impaired by alcohol or drugs? Hopefully not, for the likelihood of you arriving safely at your destination has greatly diminished. We can never turn back the clock so I encourage everyone to make good choices, not just on holiday weekends but every day.
Essex County OPP has seen a 37% increase in the number of impaired drivers in 2016 as compared to the same time period in 2015. While this is disappointing it also speaks to the risk that people are willing to take, not only with their lives but the lives of others. Be smart, drive safe and enjoy your destination this weekend.”