Provincial police are urging the public to drive sober after a London man was charged with impaired driving over the weekend.
Police say they stopped a driver in relation to a suspicious vehicle on Sun. Jan. 10. just before 3:30 a.m. in Middlesex County.
The 20-year-old male has been charged with multiple offenses;
- Operation while impaired – alcohol
- Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Drive without proper rear light – motor vehicle·
- Novice driver – B.A.C. above zero
Constable Jeffery Hare with the Middlesex County OPP says in regards to what people should know about impaired driving;
“We all have control over our you know we’re all responsible for what we do right for our behavior so um you know if you’re planning on going out figure out a ride it’s super easy”
Hare speaks about what people will engage in on a night out and how to plan ahead;
“You know, if you’re planning on going out, figure out a ride. It’s super easy. If you think you’re going to be going out, you think there’s a chance that you’re going to be, you know, maybe smoking a joint or drinking some alcohol, have a plan.”
Hare talks about what services are available and how frustrating it is from a police standpoint;
“There’s no need to be in this situation anymore where people are getting in charge for impaired driving. When we have so many, we have Ubers, we have taxis, we have friends, it’s frustrating. It’s frustrating from a police standpoint, We’re committed to taking alcohol and drug-impaired drivers off our roads and making them as safe as possible.”
Statistics from MADD Canada from 2021 when the Canada census was last conducted include:
- 459 Canadians died within 12 months of a crash on a public roadway involving a drinking driver where alcohol use was known.
- 496 Canadians were killed in crashes on public roadways involving at least one driver who was positive for drugs, where drug use was known.
The 20-year-old male is expected to appear in court on Feb. 5, 2026.
