As first snowfall leaves county residents worried about dangerous driving, OPP say the problem is getting worse
While the snowfall may be a pleasant sight for people who enjoy the winter, the change in weather only heightens the worry that some residents who live along county roads and highways are feeling.
You can get out of your driveway and then, all of a sudden, there's a car or pickup right behind you and passing you," said Judy Ahlstedt who lives along Highway 77 in Leamington. "It's gotten way out of control."
Dangerous driving is a far too common sight in the area where she lives, Ahlstedt said. But, according to Essex County OPP, speeding hasn't been the only issue.
Prior to Essex County receiving its first batch of snow on Nov. 27, impaired driving has been an increasing problem throughout the region.
By the end of October 2022, Essex County OPP had issued 100 impaired driving charges. By the same time this year, that number spiked to 155.
"It's not just the cannabis. We're seeing a lot of opiates, with people driving on prescription medication and not realizing that they shouldn't be," said OPP Const. Steven Duguay.
Impaired driving has been attributed to four charges that were issued by Essex County OPP in a 72-hour span.
On Nov. 22, a 30-year-old Lakeshore man was charged with driving while impaired on drugs and alcohol.
Over the next two days, three others were charged for driving with a blood alcohol level that exceeded the legal limit.
"There's life-altering changes that can that can occur if you get stopped for impaired driving," said Duguay, pointing to the by-products of a collision such as injuring or killing someone, being slapped with fines and rising insurance costs.
"There's so many factors that people should be taking into consideration. It's all about keeping everybody safe on the roads and making it home safely to your family and friends."
OPP advise anyone who believes dangerous driving is a reoccurring problem in the area where they live to immediately report it to police so officers can visit the scene.
As for Ahlstedt, she said the residential portion of Highway 77 where she lives has become a "death trap."
"My neighbor has a four-year-old child that goes to kindergarten. It's scary. There's been times the bus goes to stop and people still assume they can go flying by," said Ahlstedt, adding drivers will "go flying by" at 100 km/h.
The speed limit where she lives is 60 km/h.
"I know the police can't be everywhere. It's not their fault. They come after the fact because they can't be everywhere. It's just that something has to be done. Something has to be done." she added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7029443.1725744633!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Police release video of Toronto plaza shooting that killed university student
A university student from Brampton was killed when two shooters fired indiscriminately into a crowded plaza in Toronto last month in what police say was a 'cowardly act.'
BREAKING Numerous people shot in Kentucky near Interstate 75, officials say
Several people have been shot near Interstate 75 in Laurel County, Kentucky, according to the Laurel County Sheriff’s office.
The iPhone is getting a 'glow' up. What to expect from Apple's Monday event
Apple excited fans with its vision for its 'Apple Intelligence' artificial intelligence system earlier this year. Now, it's time for the company to prove it really works.
No more porta-potties at B.C. construction sites starting Oct. 1
What some B.C. construction workers describe as the worst aspect of their jobs will be coming to an end next month, the province announced.
'Hopeless and helpless': Regina mother seeks help to treat rare spinal disease
Mary Grace Rico is seeking help in getting treatment for a rare spinal condition.
'Extremely vigorous' wildfire activity in central B.C. prompts crews to back off for safety
The wildfire fight in central B.C. intensified Friday, according to officials.
Trump campaigns in Wisconsin just days ahead of debate with Harris
With just days to go before his first — and likely only — debate against U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris, former U.S. president Donald Trump leaned into his familiar grievances about everything from his indictments to the border as he campaigned in one of the most deeply Republican swaths of battleground Wisconsin.
They were due to leave for their dream cruise in May. Three months on they’re still stuck at the departure port
It was the years-long cruise that was supposed to set sail, but saw its departure postponed… postponed… and postponed again.