Two motorists from the Greater Sudbury area are facing serious charges after being stopped at police checkpoints while their driving privileges were already suspended. The incidents, occurring just days before the Christmas holiday, underscore ongoing road safety concerns during the festive season.
First Incident on Municipal Road 80
The initial arrest took place on the evening of December 19, 2025. According to the Ontario Provincial Police, a RIDE program checkpoint was set up on Municipal Road 80 in Val Caron. At approximately 10:45 p.m., officers intercepted a vehicle and determined the driver was operating it while impaired by alcohol.
A critical detail emerged during the investigation: the driver was already under a suspension from the Ministry of Transportation. The individual was subsequently arrested and charged with operation while impaired and operation while prohibited.
Second Driver Charged Hours Later
Merely hours after the first arrest, OPP officers encountered another driver under similar circumstances. In a separate traffic stop, police identified a second motorist who was also driving while under suspension.
This driver was similarly charged with operation while prohibited. The swift succession of these two incidents highlights the persistent challenge of keeping suspended drivers off Ontario roads, especially during periods of increased travel and social gatherings.
Legal Consequences and Seasonal Warning
Both accused parties are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury at a later date to answer to the charges. Driving while suspended is a serious offence under the Highway Traffic Act, while impaired driving charges fall under the Criminal Code of Canada.
The Ontario Provincial Police have reiterated their seasonal message, emphasizing that RIDE programs are intensified during the holiday period to deter impaired driving. These two cases serve as a stark reminder that driving is a privilege, not a right, and that violations—especially by those already deemed unfit to drive—carry significant legal penalties.
The names of the accused were not immediately released by police.
