On Friday March 17th, 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 Thorold.
Officers stopped over 1000 vehicles and inquired if any of the drivers had consumed any alcohol or drugs earlier in the evening. In total, 18 drivers were required to provide a sample of their breath for analysis.
At 6:55pm as officers were positioned at an identified R.I.D.E. spot check in the City of Thorold, a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado was observed approaching the officers, however the driver conducted a u-turn and attempted to avoid the spot check by driving the opposite way. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver, a 24-year-old resident of the City of St. Catharines was observed by officers to be displaying 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.
At 10:26pm as officers were positioned at an identified R.I.D.E. spot check in the City of St. Catharines, the driver of a 2005 Dodge Caravan was spoken with by officers who observed signs of impairment. When the driver was directed to exit the vehicle, an open beer can fell from the vehicle onto the ground. After being arrested, the driver provided a sample of their breath for analysis, that was greater than 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. As a result, the driver was charged with the Criminal Code offence of impaired operation of a motor vehicle.
Additionally, of the 18 drivers who were directed to provide a sample of their breath for analysis, 4 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 4 drivers had their drivers licences suspended for 3 days in accordance with the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
Two Provincial Offence Notices (tickets) were issued to drivers throughout the evening for the offence of failing to display two licence plates, in accordance with the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
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.