Impaired drivers end up in the ditch in northwestern Ont.

Ontario Provincial Police in Atikokan say that within the last week, they investigated two impaired drivers who drove into the ditch in their community. (File)

Ontario Provincial Police in Atikokan say that within the last week, they investigated two impaired drivers who drove into the ditch in their community.

The first case took place Jan. 8 at 9 a.m. Police responded to a vehicle in the ditch on Highway 11 near Seine River.

“Officers attended and found the driver of the vehicle to be obviously impaired by drug consumption,” police said in a news release Monday.

“The driver was arrested at the scene and transported to the Atikokan detachment where a drug recognition evaluation was completed by way of demand.”

A 48-year-old from Garden River was charged with impaired driving, dangerous driving, possession of a controlled substance and driving with cannabis readily available.

The accused’s vehicle was impounded for seven days and their driver’s licence was suspended for 90 days. They have a court date of Jan. 30 in the Atikokan Ontario Court of Justice.

The second incident happened at 2:30 a.m. Jan. 12, when another vehicle ended up in the ditch on Highway 11, this time near Lerome Lake.

“Investigation determined that the driver was obviously impaired by alcohol consumption,” police said.

“The driver was arrested at the scene and transported to the Atikokan detachment where breath testing was completed by demand.”

The 35-year-old from Atikokan was charged with impaired driving and driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 80 milligrams or higher.

The accused’s driver’s licence was suspended for 90 days, and their vehicle was impounded for seven days. They also have a Jan. 30 court date.

“Impaired driving continues to be a serious public safety issue on local roads and highways,” police said.

“If you suspect someone is driving while impaired call 911. Road safety is the shared responsibility of all road users.”