One weekend into the Thunder Bay Police Service's Festive RIDE season, and officers are already seeing the increased impact of cannabis on impaired driving.
Police operated RIDE checkpoints at various times over the course of the weekend, and broadcasted Friday night's operation live on the Service's Facebook page. The second impaired driver caught Friday night was arrested for impaired operation of a motor vehicle by cannabis. Officers also issued a number of tickets over the course of the night for cannabis-related offences such as underage possession and operating a vehicle with readily accessible cannabis.
On Friday evening, officers caught their first impaired driver within minutes of setting up their first checkpoint. At their last checkpoint of the night, the very first car that approached was operated by an impaired driver. He was subsequently arrested and provided breath samples nearly triple the legal limit.
In total, Thunder Bay Police Service removed 4 impaired drivers from the road this weekend, as well as suspended drivers and individuals with warrants. The public can expect officers to be out at all hours looking to intercept these dangerous drivers. Please make arrangements for alternative transportation when celebrating this festive season, and avoid becoming another police statistic.