A Highgate man faces impaired driving, speeding and other charges after a traffic stop on Friday.
Chatham-Kent OPP officials say on March 9, 2018, around 10:30 p.m. a member of Chatham-Kent Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was conducting RADAR enforcement on Victoria Road near Beechwood Line when they observed a northbound motor vehicle exceeding the posted speed limit of 90 km/hr.
The RADAR registered a speed in excess of 140 km/hr, police officials allege.
Members conducted a traffic stop and while speaking with the driver, the officer determined the driver had consumed alcohol, police officials allege.
The driver was transported to detachment for further tests.
While at the detachment, the driver refused to provide a sample of his breath and he also caused damage to one of the cells, police officials allege.
As a result, the male driver, a 35-year-old from Highgate, has been charged with the following:
– Driving while ability impaired – motor vehicle, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada,
– Fail or refuse to provide sample, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada,
– Mischief – obstructs, interrupts or interferes with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada
– Race a motor vehicle – excessive speed, contrary to the Highway Traffic Act,
novice driver – B.A.C above zero, contrary to the Highway Traffic Act,
– Driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor, contrary to the Liquor Licence Act,
He will appear in Ontario Court of Justice on March 30, 2018 to answer to the charge.
The driver’s licence has been suspended and the vehicle impounded for a period of seven days, as per statute.
Chatham-Kent OPP would like to remind drivers that stunt driving or racing is one of the most serious and reckless forms of aggressive driving, and it puts everyone on the road at serious risk of injury or death.
The penalties for driving 50 km/hr or more over the speed limit are as follows:
Immediate 7-day licence suspension and 7-day vehicle impoundment
Upon conviction, $2000 to $10,000 fine, 6 demerit points, up to 6 months jail, up to 2 years licence suspension for a first conviction
Driver’s licence suspension of up to 10 years for a second conviction within 10 years.
For more information, please visit the OPP website at www.opp.ca, or visit the Ministry of Transportation website at www.mto.gov.on.ca
