Barrie Police take 10 impaired drivers off the road in two days

As the holiday season approaches, RIDE programs are becoming much more common, and Barrie is no different.

Barrie Police says it charged 10 drivers with impaired operation through RIDE checks by its Traffic Unit and general patrol on Saturday and Sunday.

In one incident on Saturday morning, one driver alerted an officer on patrol on Collier Street to a possible impaired driver. Eventually the officer initiated a traffic stop.

Upon speaking to the 23-year-old male driver from Barrie, the officer arrested him for impaired operation. Later, when his female passenger arrived at Barrie Police headquarters to pick the man up, she was arrested after it was realized she was wanted on several warrants outside Barrie.

Just after midnight on Sunday morning, one officer noticed another driver being erratic and cutting across lanes near Dunlop Street West and Sarjeant Drive.

When police stopped the vehicle, the 37-year-old male driver resisted arrest. During the struggle, he reached into his pocket, which led to the officer using their stun gun in consideration of their own safety. The man was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

Among the charges the man was booked on are impaired operation, operation while prohibited, assault with intent to resist arrest, failure to comply with probation, and refusal to comply with demand.

"Impaired driving, whether it involves alcohol or drugs, is dangerous – not only for drivers and their passengers, but also for everyone else on the roads," Barrie Police said in a release. "There are many other options available, including taxis, public transit and ride sharing. Our officers, including our dedicated Traffic Services Unit are out around the clock, working to keep our roads safe.