Regional Breath Unit
The Regional Breath Unit is a dedicated and specialized group of 20 police officers, within Traffic Services, who have been trained as Qualified Breath Technicians. These officers are primarily responsible for the testing of persons Blood Alcohol Level (BAC), who have been arrested for a Drinking and Driving related offence in the Regional of Peel. Members of the Regional Breath Unit have also been specially trained as Drug Recognition Experts (DRE). DRE officers investigate persons operating vehicles who’s ability to do so may be impaired by prescription or non- prescription Drugs. This could also include persons that may have inhaled chemicals such as paint or glue.
Members of the Regional Breath Unit also provide educational resources to the public about the Criminal Code of Canada and Highway Traffic Act as it pertains to Drinking and Driving and related Criminal and Provincial driver licence suspensions that can arise from being convicted of such an offence.
Background
In July of 1996, The Impaired Driving Task Force was formed at the request of Chief Noel P Catney to formulate strategies on dealing with impaired drivers. The mandate of the committee was as follows:
- To effect more arrests of impaired drivers within the Peel Regional Police Jurisdiction;
- To maximize deterrents to impaired drivers within the Region of Peel Jurisdiction;
- To streamline the procedure in dealing with impaired drivers.
The Last Drink Program and Operation Lookout were established to target the drinking driver. A zero tolerance policy was implemented to deal with impaired drivers. Procedural changes were implemented which minimized the amount of time front line officers would require in processing impaired drivers.
R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere)
Peel Regional Police operate R.I.D.E. programs year-round on a weekly basis.
In addition to the yearly R.I.D.E. program, the department also operates a Festive Season R.I.D.E., which operates everyday from the end of November to the beginning of the New Year. Peel Regional Police is committed to a ‘zero tolerance’ policy regarding impaired driving.
R.I.D.E. Program continues to remove impaired drivers from the road:
During the 2009 festive R.I.D.E. program officers assigned stopped 43,113 vehicles in Mississauga and Brampton. In total 150 people were arrested for drinking and driving related offences and 215 people were issued a WARN range driving suspension.
New WARN Range penalties
In 2009 the Provincial Government approved the changes to increase the penalties to the WARN Range drinking and Driving suspensions. The new legislation provides Police in Ontario the authority to suspend the licence of any driver found operating a motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol level reading between 50 and 100mgs.
• 3 days for the first instance
• 7 days for the second instance
• 30 days for the third instance
WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO A PERSON ARRESTED FOR A DRINKING AND DRIVING OFFENCE?
If any person is arrested for a Drinking and Driving offence such as excess blood Alcohol or refusing to provide a breath sample. That person will automatically have their Driving licence suspended for a period of 90 Days. This is referred to as an A.D.L.S. or Automatic Drivers Licence Suspension.
If the person arrested is a first time offender and was not involved in a motor vehicle collision and they are convicted, they would receive a penalty in excess of a $750.00 fine and a minimum one year driver’s licence suspension. The fines, suspensions and potential jail time will increase with the severity of the incident and increase with the numbers of times you are convicted.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF I DRIVE AFTER MY LICENCE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED?
If you are stopped while driving a vehicle after you have been suspended for a Drinking and Driving offence. You will be arrested and charged for Driving while your licence is suspended and you will be sent back to the court system to answer to the charge.
The V.I.P. (Vehicle Impoundment Program) authorizes Police in Ontario to seize and keep the vehicle that you are driving for 45 Days for the first offence, 90 days for the second offence and 180 days for the third offence.
It doesn’t matter who owns the car or if you rented or borrowed the car from a friend.
R.I.D.E. program, a tool for all Seasons:
A study of motor vehicle fatal collisions, overlaid with major holidays/events across North America, showed that during Holiday long Weekends have a significant increase in impaired driving fatal motor vehicle collisions occurred.
In 2009 the Peel Regional Police conducted R.I.D.E. spot-checks during all Holiday long weekends and Major sporting events such as the Super Bowl, Grey Cup, NHL playoffs and after Major League Soccer events.
IF YOU PLAN TO DRINK – DON’T DRIVE. ARRANGE FOR A DESIGNATED DRIVER, TAKE PUBLIC TRANSIT, CALL A TAXI OR A SOBER FRIEND. STAY THE NIGHT.
OPERATION LOOKOUT (What you can do to help reduce Impaired Drivers)
How did the program start?
Operation Lookout was developed by CSSD/ADD– Against Drunk Driving with support from Peel Regional Police Services in 1992. The program was field tested in the Peel Region through the sponsorship of Goodyear Canada and St. Lawrence Cement.
An information campaign that included posters, wallet-size cards, banners, combined with media events, created an incentive for community participation. A result of the campaign saw the number of reports received by Peel Regional Police in 1993 increased by more than 43%. In 1994 the number was up by 75%. Within the first year of the program, the number of alcohol-related deaths resulting from traffic crashes went from 24% to 17%. The program has since spread to many communities across the country and has expanded to include watercrafts, off-road recreational vehicles and snowmobiles.
What can I do to report an impaired driver?
If you observe a driver of a motor vehicle doing some or all of the following things, they maybe impaired and police can be contacted to investigate the driver to ensure they are safe to continue driving:
- Swerving within a single laneway or between more than one laneway
- Driving at varied speeds, above and below the speed limit
- Driving at an extremely fast or slow rate of speed
- Driving without headlights on, or driving with only parking lights
- Tailgating
- ‘Running’ Amber or Red traffic lights
- Driving with windows open in very cold weather
- Making wide turns, and/or hitting curbs
- Driving with a flat tire
- Slow response when stopping at traffic signal/signs
- Observe a driver staggering or appearing unsteady on their feet as they walk towards their car.
- (You don’t have to wait for the driver to drive away before calling the police. If the driver remains sitting in the drivers seat, maybe slumped over, you can still call the police and/or ambulance to check on the persons health and well being)
- If your in line at a store and detect the odour of alcohol coming from another customer & you see them later enter a car as the driver.
I’ve spotted a possible Impaired Driver – Now what?
Most importantly - stay safe. Don’t let the situation become more hazardous then it may already be.
- Call the police, using 911 services, as soon as you can – safely. (Cell phones make calling in an impaired driver much easier, but remember to drive with care and attention to the road yourself)
- Tell the police what you have observed and what direction/street you are traveling on
- Provide a licence plate of the motor vehicle
- Provide a vehicle description including colour
- Describe the driver (male/female), clothing, hair colour, facial hair or distinguishing features
What happens after I call and the police stop the car?
The police will investigate the driver. If the driver is found to be impaired, the police may request the following: A written statement, of what you observed and if you had passengers in your car, they may also be asked to provide a written statement of what they observed. If you called in an impaired driver, but couldn’t remain nearby, ensure you provide the 911 call taker with a telephone number you can be reached at.
LAST DRINK PROGRAM
The Last Drink program was established to allow the police and the Liquor Licence Board of Ontario (LLBO) to use their resources in the most efficient manner. The information provided to the LLBO by police makes it possible for their inspectors to target specific premises and provides details of all incidents involving a subject establishment for use in any subsequent judicial hearing.
In addition to collecting data on ‘Last Drink’ establishments, Peel Regional Police continues to review data collected from impaired driving arrests, more recently examining street locations and intersections were impaired drivers have been arrested on an ongoing basis and directing R.I.D.E. programs and other enforcement into those locations. The results have produced at times, a reduction in overall traffic stops, but an increase in impaired driving apprehensions.
EQUIPMENT
Intoxilyzer 5000C and the Intoxilyzer 8000C
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Peel Regional Police are currently using the Intoxilyzer 5000C and the Intoxilyzer 8000C for breath testing purposes which involve drinking drivers.
All members of the Regional Breath Unit are qualified by the Centre of Forensic Sciences in its operation.
Any person arrested for a drinking and driving offence must by law, provide samples of breath into this instrument.
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Alcotest 7410 GLC
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At the roadside, a police officer may ask you to provide a sample of breath into an approved screening device.
The device that Peel Regional Police currently use is the Alcotest 7410 GLC. It’s a simple test that takes approximately 4-12 seconds once the instrument is made ready.
Any person suspected of consuming Alcohol while Driving must by law provide a sample of their breath into this instrument at the demand of a Police officer. Failure to provide a sample of your breath is a criminal offence of failing to Provide a Breath Sample.
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Traffic Services Command Vehicle
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Traffic Services Command Vehicle is equipped as a multi-purpose mobile unit. Primarily intended for use in Traffic Services, it has been designed to accommodate on site breath testing for the weekly RIDE spot checks, as well as for use on a daily basis, during each annual Festive Season RIDE campaign.
In addition to its regular usage during the RIDE programs, the vehicle is also utilized by Traffic Services for use in: Commercial Vehicle Truck Inspections, and is regularly used as a mobile command centre during various Traffic related clinics/courses, public events and has been used as a mobile command centre for Major Collisions in the Region of Peel.
The Traffic Services Command Vehicle, with an operational breath testing room and workable office area are of great assistance to front line officers in streamlining the time required to process an impaired driver.
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IGNITION INTERLOCK PROGRAM
As of December 23, 2001, individuals who are convicted of an impaired driving offence Under the Criminal Code of Canada are subject to Ontario's Ignition Interlock Program.
Please visit the MTO web site for full information on this program.
IMPAIRED DRIVING STATISTICS
Over the eight-year period between 1999 and 2006, it is estimated that impaired driving killed 9,698 persons, injured 572,187, and caused damage to 1,891,001 vehicles in all crashes, translating into 1,010 fatal crashes, 391,123 injury-only crashes and 1,244,079 property-damage only (PDO) crashes, totaling 1,643,284 crashes in all.
In 2009 in the Region of Peel 1431 people were arrested for a Drinking and Driving related offence which is a 4% increase over the previous year when 1382 were arrested.
The reasons for the yearly increases have not yet been determined, though many causes are being examined. Some of the causes maybe attributed to:
- Peel Regional Police implementing focused enforcement in areas that have proven, through statistical analysis, to be areas of high probability for impaired drivers.
- Increase in overall population size
- Population increase of persons from different countries, not yet familiar with Canada’s laws involving drinking and driving.
The public is reminded that impaired driving is not just a ‘night time’ activity. Impaired drivers are found on the road at all times of the day. (March 2004 Journal Article: Drinking and Driving Not Only at Night or on Weekends, J.G. Wigmore, C.J. House and J. W. Patrick) http://www.csfs.ca/journal/journal.htm(Select ‘Past Issues’)
MATT PARR APPREHENSION AWARD & ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP
On October 26, 1996, Peel Regional Police officer Matthew (Matt) PARR tragically died when his vehicle was struck by a drunk driver. The following year, Peel Regional Police began to honour the memory of this lost officer by creating the Matt Parr Award, which recognized the efforts of officers who effectively apprehended Impaired Drivers. The Matt PARR Award was later followed by the Matt Parr Academic Scholarship fund, which was established due to a generous donation by Matt’s family. Each year the academic scholarship is presented to one recruit from each graduating class who exemplifies the highest standards of the Peel Regional Police.
Matt PARR Apprehension Award Recipients:
- 2009 - Cst. Ed Nicholson, Cst Glen Leonardo, Cst Mark Mohan, Cst Dan Scobie, Cst Alex Lahodynsky
Matt PARR Academic Scholarship Recipients:
- 2009 - Cst Nickolas Harper, Cst Joshua Rose, Cst David Stewart
Divisional Matt PARR Award Recipients:
- 2009 - 11 Division Cst Chris Stevens, 12 Division Cst Tyrus Darcy, 21 Division Cst Brandon Strain, 22 Division Cst John Stringer.
Matt PARR Auxiliary Award Recipient:
- 2009 – Auxiliary Constables Khushroo Bharda & Lorelei Deir
Peel Regional Police would like to thank Glenn Crouter and Sandy Hawley of Woodbine Raceway and the Parr Family for supporting Peel Regional Police Impaired Driving initiatives.
From October 1st to October 31st, Peel Regional Police officers wear a pewter memorial pin of the departments crest, with Matt Parr’s badge number 1639 displayed on the bottom.