It’s been a busy month so far for Northumberland OPP with a slew of speeding charges laid, high-speed motorcyclists allegedly fleeing from police, an impaired driving incident on the shoulder of Hwy. 401, and more.
Here’s your latest OPP rundown:
SPEEDING REMAINS A CONCERN
The tally from the Civic Day long-weekend is in and speeding charges laid in Northumberland were among the highest in OPP’s Central Region area.
Police dished out 112 speeding tickets during the long-weekend, as well as laid seven impaired driving charges and one distracted driving charge. Another four charges were laid related to people not wearing seat belts, and three people were charged after allegedly failing to move over for emergency vehicles.
The tally has police once again calling on motorists to slow it down and make safety a priority when behind the wheel, stressing speeding also reduces reaction times and increases severity of collisions.
HIGH-SPEED MOTORCYCLISTS ALLEGEDLY FAIL TO STOP FOR POLICE
A traffic complaint about two motorcyclists travelling at high speed on eastbound Hwy. 401 has led to charges.
Police said on Aug. 8, 2025, at about 1 p.m., OPP was contacted about the motorcyclists, with the alleged incident starting in the Newtonville area.
Officers located the bikes shortly afterwards, but allege the operators failed to stop for police.
However, one motorcyclist was later located at the Colborne Big Apple exit, where they were taken into custody, said police.
As a result of the investigation, police said a 24-year-old Strathroy resident was charged with flight from a peace officer and careless driving.
The accused will appear in Cobourg court in September.
Police said the investigation is ongoing in relation to the other motorcyclist.
SUSPENDED DRIVER ALLEGEDLY FLEES FROM POLICE
On Aug. 7, just after 11 a.m., police said they attempted to stop a vehicle that was displaying an incorrect plate in the County Road 25 Trent Hills area.
The driver didn’t stop for police but OPP said following an investigation, the suspect vehicle was found at the rear of a residence in the area.
The investigation has led to charges for a 49-year-old Trent Hills man around driving while under suspension, operating a vehicle without insurance, failing to stop for police, using an unauthorized plate and failing to apply for a vehicle permit.
AMMUNITION SEIZED DURING SUSPENDED DRIVER INCIDENT
On Aug. 10, at about 3 p.m., police said patrol efforts were underway in the County Road 30 Brighton area when an officer’s automated licence plate recognition (ALPR) technology flagged a potential suspended driver.
Following a traffic stop, police said they confirmed the accused was prohibited from driving and a search of the vehicle allegedly turned up rifle ammunition.
As a result of the investigation, police said a 46-year-old Brighton resident was charged with driving while prohibited, unauthorized possession of ammunition and careless storage of ammunition.
The accused also had their vehicle impounded for 45 days and will appear in Cobourg court in October, reported OPP.
DANGEROUS DRIVING CHARGE LAID
A 19-year-old Cobourg resident is facing charges after police said they responded to a theft from a commercial premises on County Road 45 in Alnwick/Haldimand on Aug. 5 just before 12:30 p.m.
It was alleged that the individual drove at the complainant while leaving the location at speed, said police.
The accused turned themselves into police later that day, resulting in theft under $5,000 and dangerous operation charges laid. The accused will appear in court in September, said OPP.
CITIZEN TIP ABOUT POSSIBLE IMPAIRED DRIVER HELPS WITH ARREST
On Aug. 4, at about 5:30 p.m., police reportedly received a traffic complaint about a possible impaired driver on Main Street in Brighton.
With a vehicle description, police said they caught up with the suspect vehicle on County Road 2 in Quinte West.
As a result of the investigation, police said a 19-year-old Brighton resident was charged with operation while prohibited, novice driver – B.A.C. (blood alcohol concentration) above zero, failure to surrender an insurance card, driving with a plate improperly displayed, and class G1 licence holder – unaccompanied by a qualified driver.
The vehicle was impounded for 45 days and the accused will appear in Cobourg court at a later date.
ALLEGED IMPAIRED DRIVING INCIDENT HWY. 401
On Aug. 3, at about 2 a.m., police reported finding a vehicle parked on the shoulder of the Hwy. 401 on-ramp at Cobourg. After an interaction with the sole occupant of the vehicle, an impaired driving investigation was initiated, resulting in the arrest of the accused and a trip to a nearby detachment, said police.
As a result of the investigation, OPP said a 35-year-old Peterborough resident was charged with failure or refusal to comply with a demand, operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs, driving with cannabis readily available, and having care or control of a vehicle with open liquor.
In addition to a future court date in September, the accused had their licence suspended for 90 days and the vehicle impounded for seven days, reported OPP.
CRASH LEADS TO IMPAIRED CHARGES
A report of a single-vehicle crash on Dale Road in Port Hope on Aug. 8 at about 7:20 p.m. has led to charges for a Port Hope resident.
When officers arrived on scene, a damaged vehicle was reportedly found off the roadway. No injuries were reported.
An investigation has led to operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), and operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs charges for a 38-year-old Port Hope resident.
The accused appears in Cobourg court in September. Their licence was suspended for 90 days and the vehicle impounded for seven days, said OPP.
Police continue to ask citizens to report suspected impaired driving by calling 911 and that all motorists do their part for road safety and plan ahead before getting behind the wheel.
