The Orillia Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will again be participating in National Impaired Driving Prevention Week, from March 19-25, 2023. Detachment members will continue to focus on ensuring the safety of those travelling on area roadways in the City of Orillia, Severn, Ramara and Oro-Medonte including local Provincial highways, specifically focused on eradicating impaired driving. Officers will continue to conduct RIDE checks throughout the week in support of this initiative.
To date in 2023, Orillia OPP has charged thirty-five individuals with impaired driving. Of those thirty-five individuals, seven were charged with impaired by drug. Police are also concerned as eleven of the drivers charged registered breath samples over 200 mg/alcohol per 100 ml/blood, more than two and a half times the legal limit of 80mg/100ml. Ten individuals were involved in collisions.
Drivers charged with Impaired Operation face an immediate ninety-day Administrative Drivers Licence Suspension and will have their vehicle impounded for seven days upon first charge. Upon conviction, drivers will face a licence suspension for a minimum of one year and include jail time.
Orillia OPP encourage everyone who is consuming intoxicating substances to plan ahead and find alternatives to driving. Use public transportation, rideshare, taxi, contact a friend, or spend the night.
