May 21, 2015
1757
(HURON COUNTY, ON) - It’s nearly five complete months into the 2015 calendar year and the Huron County OPP has charged 34 drivers with Impaired Driving and/or Over-80 Milligrams offences.
By comparison, at this point in 2014, Huron OPP had laid 18 charges. This significant increase (90 per cent) in charges is troublesome and concerning to the Huron OPP detachment members.
Despite the year-round public education and awareness efforts by Huron OPP, the local Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Chapter and the Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) groups, the numbers don’t lie; too many drivers in Huron County continue to make a conscious decision to endanger others by operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Is it a generational problem? Is it only males who are driving drunk? When is it happening? Does it only take place out in the country?
An analysis of the Huron County OPP year-to-date Impaired/Over-80 Charges reveals some interesting data. Note: Actual numbers in parentheses:
85% (29) of the charged drivers were male
76% (26) of the charged drivers were from Huron County
68% (23) of the stops took place during daylight hours (6 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
62% (21) of the drivers charged were stopped in rural areas
38% (13) of drivers charged were between the ages of 16 to 29. Of particular note, six of those drivers were under the age of 22 (Young Drivers who are subject to a Zero Blood-Alcohol Concentration)
33% (11) of drivers were between the ages of 30 to 49; and 26% (9) were between the ages of 50 to 69
15% (5) of the drivers charged were involved in motor vehicle collisions
Here is another key statistic that needs to be reinforced - 100 per cent of the drivers charged received an automatic 90-day driver’s licence suspension and a future court date.
“It is very concerning to see such a drastic increase this year in the numbers of impaired drivers being charged in Huron County," says Huron County OPP staff sergeant Shawn Johnson. "Every single one of those drivers who were stopped and taken off the road posed a risk to our loved ones using the roadway.
"Despite our ongoing public safety messaging, awareness campaigns, high levels of visibility, strict enforcement and our year-round commitment to the various Provincial Traffic Safety Programs, we are still seeing too many drivers placing themselves and others at risk by driving drunk. Any suggestion that drinking and driving is just a way of life in rural Ontario or socially acceptable in Huron County, is completely unacceptable and highly inexcusable. Impaired driving is a serious criminal offence, one that places our community at great risk. Collectively, we can all make a positive difference in reducing the number of impaired drivers as we move forward this year.”
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