York Police charge 20 impaired drivers, 92 distracted drivers in one week

It was a busy week for York Regional Police.

Twenty drivers were charged with impaired driving offences between May 29 and June 5, 13 of which were charged for being impaired by alcohol, while seven were drug related.

According to York Police, 8 arrests came from calls from concerned citizens, 7 were stopped by RIDE spot checks, and five were charged after being involved in accidents.

During the same time period, 92 drivers were charged with distracted driving. The charge carries with it a $490 fine and three demerit points, and many of the drivers were caught by the “We’re on Board, Are You?” campaign, where officers are riding York Region Transit buses watching for drivers who are distracted.

Police say one of the impaired driving charges came after a concerned citizen call on May 29 after 10:30 pm. The citizen had advised police that they were watching the suspect driving a vehicle and “hit a curb and was driving all over the road.”

The black Toyota Corolla was spotted eastbound on Crosby Avenue in Richmond Hill before officers responded to the call. Upon their arrival, they found the suspect’s vehicle had collided with a car stopped at Major Mackenzie Drive East and Newkirk Road.

When officers spoke with the suspect driver, they could smell a strong odour of burnt marihuana coming from the vehicle, according to police. The driver, a female, could not walk steady on her feet and was soon placed under arrest. She underwent a series of tests performed by an officer that is a drug recognition expert, which she failed and was charged with Impaired Driving by Drug.

Police encourage residents to report unsafe drivers or any behaviours on the road that could jeopardize the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

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