Drunk and drugged driving is becoming a growing problem in the Ottawa area, according to provincial police officers who say they’re catching more impaired drivers behind the wheel here lately.
“We’re seeing it go up,” said Const. Eric Booth of Ottawa’s Ontario Provincial Police detachment. “We’re apprehending more people than we usually do. We’re catching more motorists in the warning range and above the legal limit. And we’re getting more drug seizures.”
The increase in the city is reflecting a provincial trend that’s worrying police. Ottawa OPP charged three people for driving over the legal limit, issued 15 12-hour suspensions and seized a quantity of marijuana from another driver while conducting RIDE checks over the weekend.
Although the big problem used to be drinking and driving, police are encountering more people who are impaired by drugs and then driving, said Booth, adding most of those charged are younger people.
The younger generation has heard messages about drinking and driving, but not enough about drug usage and driving, Booth said.
