HURON COUNTY – Huron County OPP say they have recorded an increase, once again, in the number of impaired operation charges for the 2021 calendar year. A total of 102 drivers were charged with impaired operation charges in 2021, compared to 93 drivers in 2020, an increase of 10 per cent.
This is the third year in a row that Huron County OPP has seen an increase.
Regionally, the number of impaired operation charges across West Region OPP rose two per cent last year. According to a release from OPP, the average number of impaired operation charges for the 14 West Region Detachments was 106.
“Impaired driving remains one of the highest priority issues for the Huron County OPP detachment,” Huron OPP Detachment Commander, Inspector Jason Younan said in the release. “Despite our efforts and the efforts of dedicated community groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) some drivers continue to make a dangerous decision to drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs. We remain fully committed to doing everything possible to ensure our roadways, waterways and trails are free of impaired drivers.”
An analysis of Huron County OPP’s impaired driving charges in 2021 was recently completed and some of the highlights include:
– 41 per cent of all impaired driving charges had some type of crash involvement (i.e. driving into the ditch, colliding with snowbanks/hydro poles/buildings, parked vehicles and moving vehicles). Alcohol was also a contributing factor in two fatal collisions.
– The OPP relies on the public to report crime and impaired driving is a crime that should be treated no differently. More than half (63 per cent) of cases originated from a call to police reporting a possible impaired driver, collision or vehicle in the ditch.
– A total of 23 per cent of drivers, 23 in total, were charged with impaired operation by a drug. Huron County OPP has a trained Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and numerous officers trained in Standard Field Sobriety Testing (SFST). Whether a driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs, impaired is impaired, and impaired driving is dangerous regardless of the source of impairment.
– A closer look at the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) levels of the charged drivers reveals that nearly half (49 per cent) of all drivers charged registered BAC readings more than double the legal limit of 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. The highest readings registered in 2021 were breath readings of 340 mg, which is over four times the legal limit. Five drivers refused to provide breath samples.
– A closer look at the cases indicates the vast majority of charged drivers in 2021 were male and they tended to be younger. Males represent 81 per cent of the charged drivers. Thirty-seven per cent of the charged drivers were under the age of 30. Of particular concern was the nine teenaged drivers that were charged. It should be noted drivers at this age are not allowed to have any alcohol in their system.
– Huron County OPP is fully aware impaired drivers are a constant threat to the safety of our roadways. Impaired driving can take place anywhere and anytime of the day. All nine municipalities within Huron County had incidents of impaired driving. The lowest numbers were in Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh and North Huron with four charges. The highest number was in Bluewater with 21 drivers charged. One third of the drivers charged were not residents of Huron County.
– Nearly half, 45 per cent, of all impaired drivers, were stopped between 6 p.m. and midnight. Thirty-six per cent were stopped between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and the rest were stopped after midnight. The busiest month for impaired operation charges was November (15) and the month with the least was May (3).
– Thirty drivers were stopped operating a pickup truck, 55 were stopped operating a passenger automobile, 12 other vehicle type, two motorcycle drivers, two All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) operators, and one on a motorized snow vehicle.
In summary, police say this snapshot of impaired driving events for Huron County OPP only tells a partial piece of the picture. Without question there is plenty of work to be done to keep our roadways, waterways and trails safe from alcohol-impaired and drug-impaired drivers. Huron County OPP encourages everyone to do their part and never drive while impaired. If you suspect that someone is driving or is about to drive impaired by alcohol or drugs please call 911 to report it.
