On Saturday February 11th, 2023, members of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) conducted R.I.D.E. spot checks, in the City of St. Catharines and the City of Niagara Falls.
Officers stopped approximately 400 vehicles and inquired if any of the drivers had consumed any alcohol or drugs earlier in the evening. In total, 20 drivers were required to provide a sample of their breath for analysis.
On Saturday February 11th, 2023, at 9:29pm a 2023 Chevrolet Equinox entered a R.I.D.E spot check in the City of St. Catharines. The driver indicated they had recently left a local restaurant where they consumed alcohol with dinner. Officers directed the 53-year-old resident of Niagara-on-the-Lake to the side of the road and commenced an impaired driving investigation. The driver was directed to provide a sample of their breath for analysis, resulting in a blood alcohol concentration greater than 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. As a result, the driver was arrested and charged with the Criminal Code offence of impaired operation of a motor vehicle.
On Saturday February 11th, 2023, at 11:50pm as officers were positioned at a R.I.D.E. spot check in the City of Niagara Falls; a 2014 Toyota Rav 4 was observed abruptly turning into a nearby parking lot only meters before the identified spot check. The driver, a 64-year-old resident of Niagara-on-the-Lake was approached and spoken to by officers who observed signs of impairment. After being directed to provide a sample of their breath for analysis, the driver provided a reading that was greater than 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. As a result, the driver was arrested and charged with the Criminal Code offence of impaired operation of a motor vehicle.
Additionally, of the 20 drivers who were directed to provide a sample of their breath for analysis, 5 drivers were determined to be in the “Alert” range, meaning their blood alcohol concentration was between 50 milligrams of alcohol and 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. All 5 drivers had their drivers licences suspended for 3 days in accordance with the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
Three Provincial Offence Notices (tickets) under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act were issued for various offences including:
– Novice driver – blood alcohol concentration above zero
– Drive motor vehicle no currently validated permit
– Drive while child passenger not properly secured
The Niagara Regional Police Service remains committed to reducing impaired driving offences through education and the apprehension of offender’s byway of enforcement programs such as R.I.D.E.
Impaired driving remains the leading criminal offence causing death in Canada.
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