(RED LAKE, ON) – On January 28, 2016 officers of the Red Lake Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a possible impaired driver on Highway 105, north of Ear Falls. Officers located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. Investigation revealed that the driver was under the influence of a drug. Roadside tests were conducted which resulted in the driver failing them. The female driver was arrested for Impaired Operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of a drug and returned to the OPP detachment in Red Lake for further testing. As a result, Melanie ROBERTSON, 40, of Dryden, has been charged with Impaired Driving by Drug contrary to Section 253(1)(a) of the Criminal Code as well as Breach of Recognizance contrary to Section 145(3) of the Criminal Code. She was remanded into custody for a bail hearing.
Impairment by drugs is a crime under the Criminal Code of Canada and drivers who are charged with driving while impaired by drugs are subject to the same penalties as those who are charged with driving while impaired by alcohol. A charge of impairment by drugs involves all drugs, be it prescription, over-the-counter and those that are illegal. The public may report an impaired driver by calling 911 or the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.