Two novice drivers from Brampton were arrested within hours of each other in Caledon after one was caught at a police checkpoint and the other crashed into a ditch. Both were found to be impaired and driving under a graduated licence, leading to multiple charges.
The first incident took place just before midnight on Friday when Caledon OPP officers were conducting a R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) checkpoint near McLaughlin Road and Tim Manley Avenue. Police say a driver attempted to evade the stop but was intercepted a short distance away.
Upon investigation, officers determined that the 44-year-old Brampton man was impaired by alcohol. Further searches led to the discovery of cannabis and cocaine inside the vehicle. The driver, who held a graduated licence, was arrested and charged with several offences, including refusing to provide a breath sample, obstructing a peace officer, driving with liquor and cannabis readily available, and possession of cocaine.
Just hours later, police responded to a report of a vehicle that had gone off the road on Mayfield Road near Chinguacousy Road. Upon arrival, officers found the 20-year-old Brampton driver impaired by alcohol, also holding a novice licence. He was charged with operating a vehicle while impaired, exceeding the legal blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), and violating the zero-tolerance blood alcohol requirement for novice drivers.
Both accused are scheduled to appear in court in Orangeville on March 13 to answer to their charges. Their licences have been suspended for 90 days, and their vehicles were impounded for seven days as per Ontario’s impaired driving laws.
In Ontario, novice drivers are subject to strict regulations, including a zero blood-alcohol requirement. G1 licence holders must always drive with an experienced Class G or higher driver and are prohibited from operating vehicles on certain high-speed roadways. Violations of these rules, especially impaired driving offences, carry severe penalties, including fines, immediate suspensions, and mandatory education or treatment programs.
Authorities are urging the public to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911 when it is safe to do so.