Ontario Provincial Police have released some alarming statistics saying in Ontario, there are over 700,000 people registered as suspended drivers and many of them are still on the road.
Since the start of 2018, OPP in North Bay say they have charged 22 drivers with driving while under suspension.
Constable Shona Camirand is with the Ontario Provincial Police in North Bay.
"It’s people with unpaid fines or medical reasons, also failing to pay child support. Many different reasons your license could be suspended." said Camirand.
Staff Sergeant Rick Dubeau with North Bay Policesays they have also seen a number of drivers behind the wheel with a suspended license and that those who lend their car to someone with a suspended license can also face a penalty.
"That vehicle is going to get impounded. That's a risk that somebody takes lending their vehicle. They should be ensuring the drivers have a proper license and are insurable." said Dubeau.
For some people in the city, they are surprised, but not for the same reasons:
"It's very alarming. It’s scary that people don't listen and they are not obeying the law, which is going to cause problems. There's a reason they don't have their license, it was suspended." said a North Bay woman.
"I’m actually surprised that there was so little caught, because I know of a lot more out there doing this with no ramifications to what's going on." said a man.
The OPP says with new technology like automatic license plate readers in police vehicles, it makes it much easier for officers to identify suspended drivers.
