Essex County ranks fourth highest in Ontario for impaired driving charges: OPP
Essex County is one of the worst regions in Ontario for impaired driving charges, according to provincial police statistics from 2023.
OPP reported 247 incidents last year resulting in 367 impaired-related charges laid by Essex County OPP officers.
That makes Essex County the fourth worst in impaired driving occurrences compared to the rest of the OPP-patrolled regions of Ontario.
Out of the five fatal crashes in 2023, one was linked to impaired driving and two others were noted as being alcohol/drug related.
Another 14 crashes had non-fatal injuries linked to impaired driving, and an additional seven other crashes were noted as being alcohol or drug related.
Chaouki Hamka, community leader for Mothers Against Drunk Driving Windsor and Essex County, tells AM800 News he was taken aback by the numbers.
"Overall in the years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Windsor-Essex, Essex in general, we've had high numbers but not to this extent. It was very surprising to see those kind of numbers," he says.
Constable Steven Duguay says Essex County was one of the top OPP detachments in 2023 in performing 920 RIDE checks.
"Our members know the importance to keeping these drivers off the road. Our members would rather be pulling impaired drivers off the road than responding to a crash involving an impaired driving resulting in an injury or fatality," he says.
Hamka says the numbers don't always scare him because he knows police are out there tackling impaired driving.
"More people are calling in, you have a lot of the public calling in, 911, to report suspected impaired drivers. Collaboratively, we're working as a team. Whether it's an organization, policing, the general public, we're working as a team to get impaired driving on the map to make sure people are getting caught before a crash happens," he says.
OPP Essex County includes the communities of Essex, Lakeshore, Tecumseh, Kingsville and Leamington.
With files from AM800's Rusty Thomson.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
Panama prepares to evacuate first island in face of rising sea level
On a tiny island off Panama's Caribbean coast, about 300 families are packing their belongings in preparation for a dramatic change. Generations of Gunas who have grown up on Gardi Sugdub in a life dedicated to the sea and tourism will trade that next week for the mainland’s solid ground.
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
Trump election victory 'very unlikely,' but 'possible': former FBI director Comey
Former FBI director James Comey says while he believes former U.S. president Donald Trump "will be defeated" in the upcoming presidential election, he doesn’t think it’s a given.
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Two celestial shows will be visible across Canada this week
Canada is getting not one – but two – celestial shows over the next few days. Keep an eye on the sky for the northern lights and parade of planets!
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
WestJet ordered to pay B.C. traveller $1,300 for a missed flight connection
A B.C. traveller will receive more than $1,300 in compensation from WestJet for a missed flight connection following a decision from the province's small claims tribunal.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.