Brantford police are warning motorists about the risks and consequences of impaired driving after seven people were arrested on alcohol- and drug-related charges during the Labour Day long weekend.
The Brantford Police Service said its Traffic Unit carried out targeted enforcement as part of a back-to-school road safety campaign.
Several of the arrests followed calls from concerned citizens who reported erratic driving.
On Friday afternoon, a 42-year-old man from Niagara Falls was stopped after allegedly fleeing the scene of a collision at Wayne Gretzky Parkway and Colborne Street.
Police say the man’s blood alcohol concentration measured more than four times the legal limit.
He was taken to hospital for medical attention before being charged.
That evening, officers arrested a 19-year-old Brantford man after a 911 call reported a near collision.
Police say he had no driver’s licence and registered blood-alcohol levels above the legal threshold.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, a 26-year-old woman from Hamilton was arrested in a parking lot on Icomm Drive after reports of a vehicle swerving into oncoming traffic.
Police allege her blood-alcohol concentration was double the legal limit.
Later that night, officers stopped a 50-year-old Brantford man near Paris Road and Powerline Road, also accused of driving with blood-alcohol levels twice the legal limit.
On Sunday, a 58-year-old Brantford man was arrested on Birkett Lane after failing sobriety tests.
A drug recognition evaluation determined he had been operating a vehicle while impaired by cannabis, police said.
That same morning, around 4:20 a.m., a 20-year-old Brantford man was taken into custody after his vehicle struck two parked cars on Terrace Hill Street.
Officers say he failed breath tests and is also charged under novice driver restrictions.
Police credited the public with helping to prevent further harm.
“We would like to thank the concerned citizens who called to report possible impaired drivers,” the service said in a statement.
Each accused faces licence suspensions and vehicle impoundments in addition to criminal charges.
Brantford police are urging anyone who suspects a motorist of impaired driving to call 911 immediately.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Brant-Brant Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at crimestoppersbb.com.
