Hamilton Police are reminding the public of the serious dangers of impaired driving after nine drivers were arrested for driving under the influence over the weekend — six of those arrests occurred on Sunday alone.

Each of these incidents came to police attention thanks to calls from members of the community who reported suspected impaired drivers. Police would like to extend sincere appreciation to the public for their vigilance and continued commitment to keeping Hamilton’s roads safe.

The information provided by witnesses allows officers to respond quickly and take dangerous drivers off the road before a tragedy occurs.

If you suspect a driver is impaired, call 911 immediately. Be prepared to provide as much detail as possible, including the location, vehicle description, licence plate, and the direction of travel.

Driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both significantly increases the risk of collisions that can cause injury or death. Penalties for impaired driving include:

• Immediate driver’s licence suspension
• Vehicle impoundment
• Fines and criminal charges
• Increased insurance premiums and long-term consequences

Hamilton Police remind everyone that there is no safe level of impairment. If you plan to drink or consume cannabis, plan ahead:

• Arrange for a designated driver
• Take public transit, taxi, or rideshare
• Stay overnight if possible

Hamilton Police commend all the residents who called in this weekend. Your actions directly contributed to removing nine impaired drivers from our streets and preventing potential tragedies.