Nipissing West OPP has had a busy start to 2020.
In the first five days of the New Year, they have laid four impaired charges, among others.
The first charge came just over an hour into the New Year when Greater Sudbury Police Service alerted the Nipissing West police of a possible impaired driver leaving Hanmer and heading east on Highway 17.
Police say around 1:30 a.m. they located and stopped the vehicle on Highway 17 near Markstay-Warren. There, police conducted a breath test on the driver, who registered a fail.
The 41-year-old from North Bay was charged with:
- Operation While Impaired -Alcohol and Drugs
- Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 Plus)
They have since been released and will appear before the Sudbury court on January 29.
The second charge came just after midnight the next night when police were out on patrol and followed a car that had been travelling below the speed limit. Officers say they stopped the car on Sand Hill Road and preformed a breath test on the driver, who failed.
The 26-year-old from Sturgeon Falls was charged with operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus).
The 26-year-old has been released and is scheduled to appear at the Sturgeon Falls court on February 6.
Just over 12 hours later, the Nipissing West OPP stopped a vehicle for speeding on Highway 17 in Verner. Police say they found the driver had been drinking alcohol and he was arrested.
The 32-year-old from Saint-Simeon Quebec was charged with:
- Operation While Impaired -Alcohol and Drugs
- Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 Plus)
- Dangerous Operation
- Race a Motor Vehicle – Excessive Speed
He has been released but will appear before the Sturgeon Falls court on March 5.
The fourth charge came on January 5th. Police say they were following a vehicle when they saw it weaving in its lane. At 10:40 p.m. they stopped it on Dutrisac Road. After talking to the driver, officers suspected he was under the influence of a drug.
After performing a failed field sobriety test, the 50-year-old from Verner was charged with operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs. He has been released and is scheduled to appear before the Sturgeon Falls court on February 6.
All four were given 90-day licence suspensions.
In that same time frame, the OPP add they have issued two three day license suspensions to drivers who had blood alcohol concentration in the warning range.