Hwy. 17 traffic complaint leads to impaired driving charges

Efforts to reduce impaired driving in the northeast seem to be working in some communities – provincial police say stats are still high.

Provincial police have charged a 45-year-old man from the Greater Sudbury community of Azilda after a concerned citizen reported a possible impaired driver earlier this month.

Members of the Nipissing West Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment responded to a call about a potentially impaired driver travelling on Highway 17 in West Nipissing at about 1:10 p.m. on Feb. 2.

“The vehicle was located and the driver was arrested for impaired driving, then transported to an OPP detachment for further testing,” police said in a news release.

As a result of the investigation, the motorist now faces two impaired driving charges – including having a blood alcohol concentration of more than 80.

In addition to the charges, the accused also had their licence suspended for 90 days and the vehicle involved was impounded by police for seven days at the owner’s expense.

The accused was released and is scheduled to appear in court in North Bay on March 6 to answer the charges.

OPP reminded the public to “make the call,” and dial 911 if they see a possible impaired driver on our roadways, waterways, or trails.

“Impaired driving never ends well,” said police.

“Please plan a way to get home safely.”