Alcohol screening mandatory on GTA highways from Oshawa to Mississauga, to Burlington

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Published May 1, 2024 at 5:14 pm

OPP, Mississauga, Oakville, GTA, alcohol screening, test, highways
Drivers pulled over on GTA highways will have to undergo mandatory alcohol screening, say the OPP. OPP PHOTO

Drivers pulled over on GTA highways from Oshawa to Mississauga, Oakville and Burlington will now have to undergo a breath sample, says the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

The OPP, taking its strongest action yet, said as part of every traffic stop on local GTA highways, including the QEW and Highways 403 and 401, drivers should be prepared to undergo a Mandatory Alcohol screening (MAS).

The test can be conducted “immediately” even if they suspect the driver hasn’t been drinking.

“As impaired driving occurrences continue to increase in Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) jurisdictions, the OPP is taking its strongest measures yet to detect, investigate and remove impaired drivers from our roads,” the OPP said in a statement on Wednesday (May 1).

The decision comes after a major increase in impaired crashes. The OPP says impaired driving collisions and charges are up close to 30 per cent over the previous five-year average.

Motorists are again reminded to be prepared to provide a breath sample during a traffic stop,” said the OPP.

“Drivers who do not comply with a breath demand could be charged for failure or refusal to comply under the Criminal Code,” the OPP added in the statement.

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