Failure to wear a seatbelt leads to impaired driving charges for Harrowsmith driver

A traffic stop for a seatbelt infraction led to impaired driving charges for a Harrowsmith driver over the weekend.

At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, officers of the Lennox and Addington (L&A) County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) observed a seatbelt infraction on a driver on Richmond Boulevard in Greater Napanee.

According to a release from the OPP, police initiated a traffic stop and determined that the driver was showing signs of impairment. An Approved Screening Device (ASD) was administered and the driver was subsequently arrested and transported to the detachment for processing. 

L&A County OPP have charged Austin Watson, age 23, of Harrowsmith, with:

• Operation While Prohibited;
• Operation While Impaired – alcohol and drug; and
• Operating a motor vehicle while over legal blood alcohol limit.  

He was further charged under the Highway Traffic act for

• Operating a Motor Vehicle while failing to wear a seatbelt.

Watson was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Greater Napanee in November 2021. The accused’s licence was suspended for 90 days and the vehicle was impounded for 45 days. Watson will be responsible for all related fees and fines.