Kawartha Lakes police see a recent increase in impaired driving in Lindsay

DAN CEARNS The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: The Kawartha Lakes Police Service (KLPS) is reporting a recent uptick in impaired driving charges, in Lindsay.

In a press release, posted on Monday, June 24th, the local police service stated, they have had “four drivers arrested and charged with Impaired Driving in [the] last three days.”

The first incident occurred on Saturday, June 22nd, at around 1:20 a.m.

“Kawartha Lakes Police Service officers observed a vehicle, on William Street at Kent Street, driving with no rear lights activated. The vehicle was stopped, and further investigation revealed, the 65-year-old male, from Lindsay, was impaired,” the release explained.

The man was arrested and charged with: Operation while Impaired, with a blood alcohol concentration of 80 plus; Operation while impaired, by alcohol and drugs; driving a motor vehicle without a proper rear light; failing to surrender insurance; failing to surrender a permit for the vehicle; and driving a motor vehicle not equipped with an ignition device.

“Further investigation revealed, the accused has had three previous convictions for Impaired Driving,” the release noted.

That same day, there was another incident reported. At 6:30 p.m., “police responded to a single motor vehicle collision, in the area of Logie Street and Dobson Street, in Lindsay, where a vehicle had struck a hydro pole.”

“The driver left the scene of the accident and was located a short time later. Further investigation revealed the 31-year-old male, from Lindsay, was impaired. He was subsequently arrested and charged with the following offences: operation while impaired, by a blood alcohol concentration of 80 plus, and failing to remain at the scene,” the release added.

The next incident occurred on Sunday, June 23rd, at about 2 p.m.

“Kawartha Lakes Police officers observed a vehicle swerving on the roadway. The vehicle was stopped in the area of Highway 36 and the Ultramar gas station in Lindsay. The vehicle was stopped, and investigation revealed the driver was impaired, the 35-year-old male, from Omemee, was arrested and charged with the following offence: Operation while Impaired, by a blood alcohol concentration of 80 plus. It was later determined, the accused, in this specific incident, was three times over the legal limit.”

The final incident occurred on Monday, June 24th, at about 12 p.m.

“Kawartha Lakes Police responded to another motor vehicle collision, in a parking lot at a business on Kent Street in Lindsay. Investigation once again revealed, one of the driver’s was impaired. The 49-year-old male, from Oakwood, was arrested and charged with the following offence: Operation while Impaired, by a blood alcohol concentration of 80 plus.”

Those charged are expected to appear in Lindsay court in August. Police did not identify any of those charged with these offences, based on their policy.