Thunder Bay Police Report Impaired Charges Up by 44 More Cases Compared to 2019
Thunder Bay – NEWS – Drink and Drive this Christmas holiday season and Thunder Bay Police promise to make sure everyone knows your name.
The Thunder Bay Police Service is introducing a new strategy it hopes will deter would-be impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel this holiday season.
Police have announced they would be reporting the names of everyone they charge with an alleged criminal impaired driving offence. With this initiative, the TBPS want to bring further attention and deterrence to driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Individuals charged criminally for impaired driving are also bound by a Ministry of Transportation 90-day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension and are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle on a roadway.
The public is encouraged to contact the Thunder Bay Police Service’s non-emergency line (807-684-1200) or submit tips via Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-8477, www.p3tips.com) if they are aware of people driving in contravention of the suspension.
If you witness an incident in progress involving a suspected impaired driver please call 911 immediately.
The prevalence of impaired driving in Thunder Bay has steadily increased year-over-year for the better part of this decade. Police have also witnessed a dramatic increase in incidents involving motorists impaired by drug or alcohol in 2020 compared to 2019.
As of yesterday – Tuesday, December 1, 2020 – the Thunder Bay Police Service had reported 248 incidents involving impaired driving, which was already 44 more incidents than the entire year of 2019. Traditionally, the Festive RIDE season has been the service’s busiest time of year for incidents of impaired driving.
Police state, “If your holiday celebration will involve alcohol or drugs, please ensure that you plan ahead for a safe ride home.”
