An Impaired driving conviction leads to legal penalties and insurance rate hikes
FORT FRANCES – NEWS – On October 22, 2024, at around 7:20 p.m., the Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to reports of a suspected impaired driver leaving a licensed establishment in Fort Frances. Officers quickly located the vehicle, conducted a traffic stop, and initiated an impaired driving investigation after observing signs of intoxication in the driver.
As a result, Derek Brown, 46, from Sleeman, Ontario, has been charged with:
- Operation while Impaired – Alcohol and Drugs (Section 320.14(1)(a) of the Criminal Code)
- Operation while Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration (80 plus) (Section 320.14(1)(b) of the Criminal Code)
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (Section 91(1) of the Criminal Code)
Along with the criminal charges, Brown faces immediate consequences, including a 90-day Administrative Driver’s License Suspension (ADLS) and a seven-day vehicle impoundment.
Legal Penalties for Impaired Driving
If convicted of impaired driving in Ontario, penalties can include a minimum fine of $1,000 for a first offense, escalating fines or even imprisonment for repeat offenders. For serious cases, imprisonment of up to 10 years is possible if bodily harm or death occurs.
Impact on Insurance Costs
An impaired driving conviction can also lead to significant hikes in car insurance premiums. After a conviction, a driver is typically classified as “high risk,” with insurance rates increasing by as much as 200-300%. In some cases, drivers may struggle to find insurance coverage altogether, with annual premiums potentially exceeding $10,000.
Brown is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Fort Frances on December 9, 2024.
If you suspect someone is driving impaired, you are urged to contact 911 immediately. Non-emergency traffic complaints can be reported to 1-888-310-1122, or online at www.opp.ca/reportacrime. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.p3tips.com/273, and may qualify for a reward of up to $2,000.
