Halton police crack down with breath tests at every vehicle stop

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Published February 19, 2023 at 5:44 pm

10 signs of impaired driving halton police
In 2020, Halton Police said the majority of arrests for impaired driving related charges made one weekend were due to alert residents calling 911. INSAUGA PHOTO

Halton Regional Police are making it a form of habit to run breath tests with each vehicle they stop and say it’s an important way to keep roadways safe.

On Sunday (Feb. 19) 2023, at approximately 1:30 p.m., police stopped a vehicle for speeding on a road in Burlington.

The G2 driver whose identity has not been released, passed the mandatory alcohol screening but was charged with stunt driving.

Police say the vehicle will be impounded for 14 days and the driver’s license will be suspended for 30 days.

In 2020, Halton Police reported 578 impaired drivers who have faced a wide range of suspensions including charges, after a road side breath test.

The Mandatory Alcohol Screening came into effect in Dec. 2018 and allows a police officer who holds an approved device to run a breath sample on a driver they lawfully stop, without suspicion that there is alcohol in their body.

As of Feb. 1 to Feb. 19 2023,  there have been 7 impaired driving related cases in Halton, 3 being in the Burlington area.

Police say there are several signs that you may be sharing the road with an impaired driver. A few include:

  • Drifting in and out of lanes
  • Frequent lane changes without enough clearance
  • Making wide turns
  • Not signaling
  • Headlights not on, failure to lower high beams or leaving turn signal on
  • Driving with windows down in cold weather

Anyone who notices a drunk driver on the road is asked to call 911 and report it to the police.

 

 

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