The Ontario Provincial Police in Essex County has charged five drivers with alcohol and drug-related offences in the last five days.
"We still continue to see operators of motor vehicles risking their lives and those of others by choosing to drive impaired. Let's continue to remain vigilant with our goal of reducing the instances of impaired driving, whether it's by alcohol or drugs," said Inspector Angela Ferguson, detachment commander of the Essex County OPP.
On November 10, a 67-year-old woman was charged with impaired operation while impaired by drugs after police stopped her vehicle on Highway 77 in Leamington.
Another Leamington driver was charged on November 11 after being involved in a minor collision on Erie Street South in Leamington. The 34-year-old was charged with impaired operation with a blood alcohol concentration of over 80.
A 46-year-old driver was charged after a three-vehicle collision on Mersea Road on November 12. The Leamington resident was charged with impaired operation of a vehicle and failure to comply with a demand.
Officers investigated two separate incidents on November 14.
Police received a report of a suspicious vehicle on James Avenue in Kingsville around 6:30 p.m. Officers found a driver inside a pick-up truck on the street. The 37-year-old was charged with operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs and possession of a controlled substance.
Around the same time, patrol officers witnessed a vehicle driving erratically on Main Street in Kingsville. The officer conducted a traffic stop and the 46-year-old driver was charged with operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol with a blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit.
All of the drivers have been issued a 90-day driver's licence suspension and their vehicles were impounded for seven days. All of the accused will appear in court at a later date.
