Driver facing impaired, novice licence charges after Highway 401 arrest
A call from a motorist on Highway 401 concerned about another driver’s hazardous behaviour led officers from the Lennox and Addington (L&A) Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) to stop, arrest, and charge the driver in question.
According to the OPP, officers from their L&A Detachment were dispatched just after 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, after receiving a traffic complaint from another motorist regarding an erratic driver travelling eastbound on Highway 401 in Tyendinaga Township. After locating the vehicle and conducting a traffic stop, investigating officers administered an ‘approved screening device’ (ASD), an electronic device used to determine the presence of alcohol in a person’s body.
The outcome of that screening led police to arrest the driver, who was then taken to the L&A OPP Detachment for further testing, according to a press release from the OPP on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. As it turned out, the driver was only holding a Class G1 licence, leading to further issues for the motorist.
As a result of the ensuing investigation, Ian Fulford, 58, of East Gwillimbury, Ont., was charged with:
- Operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol and drugs
- Operation of a motor vehicle while impaired with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit
- Novice driver with a blood alcohol concentration above zero
- Novice driver failing to surrender licence
- Class G1 licence holder driving while unaccompanied by a qualified driver
- Class G1 licence holder driving on a prohibited highway
According to the L&A OPP, Fulford was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Greater Napanee in December 2022. His licence was suspended for 90 days and, if convicted, Fulford will face further licence suspension. Further, Fulford’s vehicle was impounded for seven days. The accused man will be responsible for all related fees and fines.