Driver arrested with blood-alcohol level 4 times over legal limit, York police say

A tip from a concerned citizen led to the arrest of a man who York Regional Police say was driving with a blood alcohol level almostfour timesover thelegal limit and it was all captured on camera.

Shortly before 4:30 p.m. onDec. 28, officers responded to a 911 call from someone who said they watched avehicle swerving on Elgin Mills Roadin Markham. A police helicopter shot video of the vehicle, which police said was "driving all over the road."

Driver arrested after blowing almost four times over legal alcohol limit, police say

7 years ago

Duration 0:30

York regional police released video of a driver they arrested during the holidays who they say blew almost four times over the legal blood alcohol limit in Markham.

Police stopped the vehicle and arrested aman, 39, fromWhitchurch-Stouffville. The driveris now facing two charges, including impaired driving.

The arrest comesas York police released their2017 impaired driving statistics, which show more people are driving under the influence of drugs.

Police say the 2017 stats show a 21 per cent increase in drug-impaired drivingcharges from 2016, and a "shocking" 90 per cent increase from 2015, according to a news releaseissued Wednesday.

ChiefEricJolliffesaysthe numbers are alarming given the legalization of marijuana in Canada scheduled for later this year.

"These incredibly disappointing numbers must serve as a wake-up call that something has to change," Jolliffesaid in the release.

"In light of the continued warnings about the dangers of impaired driving from police services across Canada, it's shocking that anyone feels they have the right to risk the lives of innocent people by drinking alcohol or using drugs and getting behind the wheel of a vehicle."

Of the drivers arrested,York police say82 per cent were men and 18 per cent were women.