Impaired driving on the rise in the Timmins-area
Timmins police officials say have noticed a significant increase in the number of motorists getting behind the wheel drunk or high.
The Timmins Police Service has charged more than 16 drivers with impaired driving since January, up from 13 this time last year and 11 in 2021. disturbing trend it's disturbed with a trend it is noticing...an increase in the number of motorists who are getting behind their wheels, drunk or high.
“More and more people are being changed with impaired driving linked to the uses of what were at one time illegal substances,” said the police service’s corporate communication coordinator, Marc Depatie.
“Regardless of the nature of the substance, if it deters or alters your ability to drive a car safely, that’s where it meets the threshold of a criminal act.”
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Depatie told CTV News that both men and women ranging from 22 to 55-years-old have recently been charged and are now before the courts.
Police officials said that in one instance a woman was found unconscious at the wheel at a local address.
“In a number of circumstances drivers were operating in night time conditions without their headlights on so it isn’t as though all of these situations call for a particularly careful officer sometimes the impairment is so obvious, anyone would notice it,” said Depatie.
Police said any time anyone sees a driver who may be impaired, call 9-1-1 immediately and police will investigate; police have specially trained officers at the ready to determine if a driver is high or drunk.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'I heard a cracking noise': 16 children, 1 adult injured in platform collapse at Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar
Seventeen people – most of whom are young students – were hospitalized after a falling from a height during a field trip at Winnipeg's Fort Gibraltar. However, many of the children are now being discharged and sent home, according to an update from the hospital.

Engaged couple shot dead days before moving out of house near Hamilton
An engaged couple was shot dead while fleeing their landlord near Hamilton just days before they were scheduled to move out of their apartment.
1 in 4 Canadian women forced to choose between buying meals and period products, survey finds
A new survey has found that one in four menstruating women in Canada have had to choose between paying for period products or other essentials such as food or rent.
Special rapporteur Johnston rejects call to 'step aside' after majority of MPs vote for him to resign
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's efforts to assure Canadians that his government is adequately addressing the threat of foreign interference took a hit on Wednesday, when the majority of MPs in the House of Commons voted for special rapporteur David Johnston to 'step aside,' a call Johnston quickly rejected.
Federal Court of Appeal: Canada not constitutionally obligated to bring home suspected ISIS fighters
The Government of Canada has won its appeal and will not be legally forced to repatriate four Canadian men from prisons in Northeast Syria.
Canadian consumer debt hits all-time high, reaching $2.32 trillion in Q1 2023: TransUnion
Amid interest rate hikes and high inflation, more Canadians are turning to credit for relief, with consumer debt hitting a new record in the first quarter of 2023.
Canada closing in on deal to get Stellantis battery plant back on track: Champagne
A deal to save a $5-billion electric vehicle battery plant in Windsor is inching closer, Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Wednesday.
Fresh Russian bombardment of Ukraine's capital kills at least 3 people, wounds others
Russian forces began June with a fresh aerial bombardment of Kyiv on Thursday, killing at least three people and wounding others, authorities said.
Health Canada recalls Arora Cookwares clay cooking pot with lid over burn hazards
Arora cookwares clay cooking pots were recalled by the federal health agency over burn and injury risks.