In a recent incident highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat impaired driving, a 35-year-old resident of Temiskaming Shores was arrested after attempting to evade a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) checkpoint conducted by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) on the evening of September 28, 2025.

Officers from the Temiskaming Detachment were patrolling Lakeshore Road when they noticed a vehicle making a deliberate effort to avoid the checkpoint at approximately 10:15 PM. This evasive action raised suspicions, prompting police to initiate a traffic stop.

Upon approaching the vehicle, officers observed clear signs of alcohol impairment in the driver, identified as Robert Johnston. He was subsequently arrested and taken to the Temiskaming OPP Detachment for further testing.

Johnston now faces serious charges, including:

• Operation while impaired - alcohol

• Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)

In addition to the charges, Johnston’s driver’s licence has been suspended for a period of 90 days under the Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension (ADLS) program. Furthermore, his vehicle has been impounded for seven days as part of the enforcement process.

Johnston is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Haileybury on October 15, 2025, where he will face the consequences of his actions.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the ongoing commitment of law enforcement to keep communities safe from impaired drivers. The RIDE program continues to play a critical role in reducing impaired driving incidents across Ontario, especially as we approach the holiday season when such occurrences typically increase.

The OPP encourages all drivers to make responsible choices and plan ahead to ensure the safety of themselves and others on the road.