BRACEBRIDGE, ON- Impaired drivers in Bracebridge appear to be on the rise.
According to a news release issued by the local OPP detachment, officers have charged 19 people with offences related to impaired driving over the last 30 days, more than double the nine impaired drivers charged in the same time period last year.
“Officers are continuing to work hard in cooperation with members of the public to take impaired drivers off of Muskoka roads,” read the announcement.
“However, the message doesn’t seem to be sinking in with everyone.”
The drivers met with police attention through various ways, including RIDE programs, calls from the public, waterway patrols, or collisions. One driver had her young children with her in the car, and another had just gotten his vehicle back after an impaired charge seven days earlier.
“Impaired driving is one of the major factors contributing to injury or death on Ontario roads and police would like to remind people to have a plan for safe travel if you are going to be consuming alcohol or drugs,” read the announcement.
“Many impaired drivers are taken off of the roads when members of the public become engaged and call police from their hands free device if they suspect that someone is posing such a hazard.”