NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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Officers at the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment have continued on past the festive season with the Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) program as this effective anti-drinking and driving road safety program is deployed here every day/night all year long on North Simcoe roads, trails and waterways.
Since Jan. 5, 2021 officers have locally stopped 376 vehicles at 10 different locations checking drivers for signs of impairment. Nine drivers have provided breath samples at these checks and all have passed.
Impaired Driving Investigation
On Jan. 9, 2021 at 11:18 a.m. an uniform officer on patrol was nearly struck at the intersection of William and Elizabeth Streets in the Town of Midland. The officer stopped the involved vehicle and spoke with the driver and entered into a drinking and driving investigation with a further search of the vehicle resulting in the seizure of open liquor and cannabis.
The investigation concluded with the driver Bradley Biagioni being charged with the following offences in relation to this investigation.
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus) contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada
- Operate a motor vehicle without insurance contrary to the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act
- Drive motor vehicle - no licence contrary to the Highway Traffic Act
- Use plate not authorized for vehicle contrary to the Highway Traffic Act
- Driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor contrary to the Liquor Licence Act
- Operate Motor Vehicle with Cannabis Readily Available contrary to the Cannabis Act
The accused was released from police custody on a undertaking to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland on Jan. 21, 2021. The involved vehicle was towed and impounded for seven days and the accused's driver's licence has been further suspended for 90 days under the conditions of the administrative drivers licence suspension (ADLS).
Stunt Driving
A uniform officer on patrol conducting speed enforcement on Highway 12 in Tay Township at 12:05 a.m. Jan. 11, 2021 observed a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed and was able to obtain a speed of the vehicle at 177 km/hr in a posted 80 km/hr zone.
A 47-year-old MacDougall Township driver has lost her licence and vehicle for seven days impoundment as per the administrative drivers licence suspension (ADLS) and also a court date for - Race a motor vehicle - Excessive Speed and Speeding and 50+ Km/h over posted limit contrary to the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario.
Police remind motorists that an essential part of the enforcement job is to save lives and reduce injuries on our trails, roadways and waterways. Educating the public about safe driving practices with our community safety partners is a priority, if you see a possible impaired driver or operator please "Make the Call" and dial 911 and help prevent a crash.
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