Huron OPP busy at RIDE checkpoints

(HURON COUNTY, ON) – Huron County OPP officers were busy setting up numerous Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) checkpoints during the first week of the Festive RIDE Campaign. In total, 48 RIDE checkpoints were conducted, leading all of the OPP detachments in West Region. 

Hundreds of vehicles were stopped and the drivers spoken to, and nearly all of them were allowed to continue onto their destinations without an issue. However, for some of the drivers, that wasn’t the case.

Nov. 24, a 42-year-old male driver of Seaforth attempted to evade a RIDE checkpoint that was set up at the intersection of MTO Road and Saltford Line. The sharp-eyed officer noticed the attempt to dodge the checkpoint, officers went after the vehicle and were able to stop it a short distance away.

Upon speaking with the driver, the investigating officer noted the driver had been consuming some alcohol. A roadside screening test was performed and the driver registered a fail. He was then transported to the Huron OPP detachment where he provided samples of his breath to the Intoxilizer Technician, and both were found to have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) in the warn range. As a result, he was served with a three-day driver’s licence suspension, and his pick-up truck was also towed from the scene.

Nov. 26, at 10:10 p.m., the driver of a Pontiac Pursuit tried to evade a RIDE checkpoint located at the intersection of Kinburn Line and Front Road. The alert officers noticed the vehicle turning around so they went after it and were able to stop it not far from the RIDE checkpoint. 

Upon speaking with the driver, the investigating officer noted a heavy smell of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was conducted and the driver was found to be in possession of a small quantity of marijuana. As a result, a 27-year-old male driver of Huron East was charged with Possession of Schedule II Substance – Marijuana. He will have to attend court in January, 2017, to answer to his charge.

Nov. 27, at 9:40 p.m., a Dodge Ram pick-up truck entered a RIDE checkpoint located at the intersection of London Road and Blyth Road. While speaking with the occupants of the vehicle, police officers observed numerous bottles of open alcohol inside the vehicle. As a result, the 20-year old male driver of Huron East and his three under-aged passengers were all charged with offences under the Liquor Licence Act.

Also Nov. 27, at about 10:30 p.m., a Dodge Ram pick-up truck entered a RIDE checkpoint located in Clinton on Huron Street near Erie Street. Upon speaking with the driver, officers determined the 24-year-old male of Huron East was driving with a suspended driver’s licence. As a result, he was charged with Drive Under Suspension and his motor vehicle was towed.

Huron OPP officers will continue with their Festive RIDE checks all through the month of December and through to the first weekend in January, 2017. 

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