Provincial police are seeing a rise in the number of impaired drivers in the Rainy River District.

Charges have been laid in 25 cases this year.

That is nearly a third of the total number in 2024, which was also higher than in 2023.

Police identify most of the impaired drivers are so by the use of drugs.

Acting Sergeant Jason Lortie is uncertain why there are more impaired drivers on the road.

But he says the OPP’s ability to catch them has improved.

“The OPP’s ability to detect impaired driving is the best that it’s ever been,” says Acting Sgt Lortie.

“We have a large number of newer members who are all recently trained in standardized field sobriety testing, and we have more DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) trained officers in the detachment than ever before. So the people who used to drive around high and maybe flew under the radar are now being regularly detected.”

Lortie also points to mandatory alcohol screening, which is making it easy for police to detect impaired drivers.

OPP have also targeted impaired driving as a priority in their traffic enforcement and road safety campaigns conducted throughout the year.

Public tips also help alert police to suspected impaired drivers.

“Hats off to the people who see things going on and bring it to our attention because it really improves road safety.”

Drivers face a range of penalties if police determine they have been driving while impaired.

Registering in the warn range (a blood alcohol concentration of between 0.05-0.079) can lead to immediate license suspensions, fines, and mandatory education or treatment, with stronger sentences for multiple occurrences.

Motorists who register a Blood Alcohol Concentration of 0.08 face an immediate 90-day suspension and a 7-day impoundment of their vehicle.

Fines start at $550 on a first offence.

Additional fines and jail time can be levelled for criminal impaired driving charges.

Drivers who are 21 or under are prohibited from having any drugs or alcohol in their system and can face suspensions and fines of up to $1,000.

“People don’t recognize the consequences sometimes until it’s too late. We want people to recognize that there are consequences before they go out and commit an impaired driving offense or worst case scenario, impaired driving causing bodily harm or death. Nobody wants to be that person,” says Lortie.

“The message to the public is don’t drink and drive. If you’re planning on drinking, have a plan. Plan ahead. Stay alert. Avoid driving when you’re tired or under the influence of medications because they’ll affect your ability to drive. If you see someone about to drive impaired, intervene. Help them find a safe way home. And if you observe a possible impaired driver, call 911. You could be saving a life.”

More information regarding Ontario’s impaired driving laws can be found by clicking here.