A car crosses the centre lane on Elgin Dr. in Markham on Dec. 28, 2017 in video captured by York police. A man was charged with impaired driving.
York Regional Police released the disturbing video on Wednesday to highlight last year’s “disappointing” impaired driving statistics, which saw a surge in drug driving cases.
In 2017, York cops laid 1,643 charges. That’s up from 1,631 in 2016 and 1,240 in 2013. Drug charges saw a 21% increase from 2016 and a staggering 90% increase from 2015, police say.
“These incredibly disappointing numbers must serve as a wake-up call that something has to change,” Chief Eric Jolliffe said. “It’s alarming that prior to the pending legalization of marijuana, we are seeing this spike of drivers impaired by drugs.”
The video was captured in Markham on Dec. 28 after police received a call around 4:30 p.m. from a concerned citizen. The force’s Air2 helicopter spotted the vehicle on Elgin Mills Rd. between McCowan Rd. and Ninth Line.
The driver was stopped and taken to a police station, where he blew almost four times over the legal limit. A 39-year-old from Whitchuch-Stouffville was charged.
York police say 82% of the drivers arrested in 2017 were men, and almost half the men were 21-34 years old. Almost half of the women were 25-44 years old.
In Durham Region, police say their seven-week 2017 Festive RIDE campaign resulted in 112 motorists being arrested for impaired driving offences — 13 more than in 2016.
Toronto Police Services and Peel Regional Police are expected to release their impaired driving statistics next week.
Source: Toronto Sun