(COCHRANE, ON) – A Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) program in Cochrane led to a criminal charge for refusing a breath demand.
On August 12, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m., the James Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) while conducted a RIDE program, and stopped a vehicle on Eighth Street in Cochrane. Officers were conducting mandatory alcohol screening and issued a breath demand to the driver. The driver refused, and as a result of the investigation, Savannah SPENCER, 28 years-of-age from Cochrane, was arrested and charged with failure to comply with demand.
The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on September 17, 2024, in Cochrane. The accused was also issued a 90-day Administrative Drivers Licence Suspension (ADLS), and the vehicle was impounded for 7 days.
Drivers are reminded that the Mandatory Alcohol Screening law allows police with an approved alcohol screening device to demand a roadside breath sample from any lawfully stopped driver without having reasonable suspicion that a driver is alcohol impaired.
A refusal charge carries with it the same penalties as impaired driving, which if convicted, may include fines, imprisonment, and a further licence suspension of at least one year.