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Impaired Driving

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Updated penalties for impaired driving now in effect across Ontario

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Harsher penalties for driving under the influence are now in effect under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.

The changes were implemented on January 1.

In the most significant of the changes, a conviction for impaired driving causing death now automatically brings an indefinite suspension of the offender’s driver’s license, with no possibility to apply for reinstatement for a minimum of 25 years.

Short-term penalties for drug and alcohol impairment have been increased: a first-time offender will now see their license suspended for seven days, where previously the punishment was three days, and a second-time offender’s license suspension is increased to two weeks, where previously it was one week.

Repeat offenders would previously see an impairment offence marked on their record for five years; now the look-back period has been doubled to ten years.

Drivers who see their license suspended due to alcohol and drug offences will now need to participate in an education program with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

Those receiving subsequent suspensions will have to participate in treatment programs before getting behind the wheel again.

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Driver charged after refusing breath test in Kenora crash

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A driver is facing a refusal charge after a collision in Kenora early Tuesday morning, according to the Ontario Provincial Police.

Officers were called to Homestake Road shortly after 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday after receiving a report that the driver involved in the crash might be impaired.

Police indicated that officers believed the individual had consumed alcohol and demanded a sample using an approved screening device.

The 21-year-old driver refused several times and was arrested at the scene, according to the OPP.

The OPP said the driver has been charged under the Criminal Code with failure or refusal to comply with a demand.

Police added that the person’s licence has been suspended for 90 days and the vehicle has been impounded for seven days.

The driver was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on January 22.

The OPP remains focused on removing impaired drivers from the road and encourages anyone who suspects impaired driving to call 911.

RCMP Police car

RCMP officers did not breach trust in relation to case of officer’s son: SiRT

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Two RCMP officers were cleared of any wrongdoing in relation to an impaired driving investigation that involved an RCMP officer’s son.

On Feb. 11, the officer’s son was in a crash and had his license suspended after a roadside impaired driving investigation by a Justice Department officer, according to a news release from the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT).

While the officer’s son had his license suspended, and while there was an ongoing appeal, the officer contact the Justice Department to try and resolve issues with his son’s file.

SiRT says the officer stated his position as an RCMP officer, his rank and experience, and also sent an unauthorized case analysis prepared by another RCMP officer.

In June, the Justice Department expressed their concerns with the communication to the RCMP, and the RCMP contacted SiRT to investigate.

The SiRT Director, after reviewing the case, determined they did not breach trust, and there were no reasonable grounds that the officers committed a criminal offence.

SiRT investigates any police cases involving death, serious injury, intimate partner violence or other matters of public interest.

OPP SUV

Red Lake driver charged with alcohol and drug impairment

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A 61-year-old from Red Lake has been charged after causing a collision around 4:30 p.m. on October 1 at the complex at 10 Summers Road.

The Red Lake Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged the individual with operation while impaired by alcohol and drugs, and operation while impaired with a blood alcohol concentration of 80 plus.

The accused has been released from custody, but will stand before the Ontario Court of Justice in Red Lake on Thursday, November 20.