“See something? Say something!”: OPP continue to target impaired drivers

By Erin Anderson

The warm weather may have you hankering for a cold beer or mixed drink, but if you're going to be consuming alcohol or drugs – you're reminded to stay off our roadways.

Over the weekend, a 55-year-old Mississauga man was charged with impaired driving in Harriston, after a concerned citizen spotted the motorist and notified police. In total, eight impaired drivers were nabbed in Wellington County between Friday and Sunday evening. 

Constable Joshua Cunningham says their OPP detachment has seen an overall reduction in impaired drivers so far this year, but they are still out there – unfortunately.

“We think a lot of people are getting the message, but not everyone is – so we are being vigilant, and attacking some of the problems with impaired driving, whether it's alcohol or drug impairment. We rely quite heavily on the public's assistance – if you're out there and see something that isn't right, don't hesitate and call us right away,” Cunningham tells 570 NEWS.

So what's the moral of that? If you see something, say something!

“We target areas based on call frequency – so when we get unusual calls to certain events, we will then target those calls specifically. So if people aren't letting us know what they have seen, or what they are hearing out there – it's tough for us to jump on it, and take the appropriate action.”

Cunningham adds if you're going to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you better be ready to pay the price.

“At minimum, you'll have thousands of dollars in fines, your licence suspended – but also lawyer fees, which are usually the most hefty. And of course, when it comes to drunk driving, the biggest concern is loss of life – as you could take yours, or someone else's life, very fast.”

If you suspect someone is driving while impaired, call police at 911 to report it.

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