The incidents occurred across the city and included traffic stops, motor vehicle collisions, reports from concerned members of the public, and information shared by a partner police service.

Among the incidents:

• A driver was located after their vehicle ended up in a ditch. The caller, concerned the driver had been drinking, contacted police.
• A driver failed to stop at an intersection, causing a collision that sent another motorist to hospital with minor injuries.
• Officers located a driver unconscious behind the wheel of a running vehicle in the middle of the roadway after receiving a report from the public.
• Drivers were stopped after officers observed dangerous driving behaviours, including excessive speed and an inability to maintain a lane.
• One driver refused to comply with a lawful breath demand, which is a Criminal Code offence carrying the same serious consequences as impaired driving.

Several of the drivers provided breath samples registering well over twice the legal limit.

These eight arrests are a reminder that impaired driving remains a persistent public safety issue in our community. Every one of these incidents was preventable. In one weekend alone, impaired driving resulted in collisions, injuries, and dangerous situations that put innocent road users at risk.

Hamilton Police continue to rely on a combination of proactive enforcement and information from the public to identify and remove impaired drivers from our roads. We thank the community members who recognized the signs of impairment and contacted police. Their actions may have prevented serious injury or even saved a life.

Whether impairment is caused by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both, the message is simple: if you're impaired, don't drive. Plan ahead, arrange a designated driver, use a taxi or rideshare service, take public transit, or stay where you are until you are sober.

If you suspect someone is driving while impaired, call 9-1-1 immediately. Your call could prevent the next collision and help keep Hamilton's roads safe.

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.

In May 2025, incidents involving impaired driving increased by 25 percent compared to May 2024. In June 2025, the numbers were even more alarming, with a 53 percent rise. Overall, impaired driving in Hamilton is up 11 percent year-to-date compared to 2024.

Since the beginning of June, Hamilton has experienced three fatal collisions directly linked to alcohol impairment. Tragically, six lives were lost including the death of a 10-year-old child.

Hamilton Police would like to remind everyone that there are always alternatives to getting behind the wheel while impaired:

·         Designate a sober driver before heading out.

·         Call a taxi or use ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft.

·         Use public transit, where available.

·         Plan ahead—your life and others depend on it.

Hamilton Police also encourage the public to play a proactive role in road safety. If you suspect someone is driving impaired, call 911 immediately. Your call could save a life.

As the summer continues, Hamilton Police will be increasing our Ride Lanes, not only on the road, but also on the water through the use of our Marine Unit.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com

With all the alternatives and communication surrounding the topic of impaired driving, the issue persists as a significant concern on our roadways.

No arrests for impaired driving occurred on Super Bowl Sunday. However, Hamilton Police did arrest ten individuals for impaired driving over the weekend, with eight impaired by alcohol and two impaired by drug.

At approximately 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2024, Hamilton Police were called to a fast food restaurant in the area of Upper James Street and Fennell Avenue. Police responded to an incident where a 30-year-old male customer grew irate at the drive-thru window upon discovering that the restaurant had run out of rice for the burrito he had ordered.

The 30-year-old opted to park his vehicle and enter the restaurant to express his concerns. As the staff encountered difficulty in persuading the customer to leave, they called the police for assistance. During the police interaction with the customer, it was discovered that the irate individual was impaired.

30-year-old Hamilton man was subsequently arrested and charged with the following;

• Operation While Impaired (Alcohol)
• Resist Arrest
• Failure to comply with Demand

We want to emphasize the critical importance of responsible driving practices within our community. Every decision to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs endangers lives and can have devastating consequences. We urge you to always plan ahead and designate a sober driver, use ride-sharing services, or utilize public transportation if you plan to consume alcohol or substances that may impair your ability to drive safely.

Let's work together to keep our roads safe and prevent unnecessary tragedies caused by impaired driving. Your safety and the safety of others are our top priorities. Thank you for making responsible choices and helping to create a safer community for all.

If you suspect anyone might be impaired by either alcohol or drug, call 911.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com

On Thursday, March 2, 2023 shortly after 3:00 p.m. Hamilton Police received several 911 calls from citizens who were observing erratic driving of a vehicle who was said to be crossing marked lanes and hitting roadway ditches.

Hamilton Police attended the area of Binbrook Road and Highway 56 and located the vehicle in question. The 39-year-old man was arrested for operating a motor vehicle while impaired.

Four local elementary schools were in the process of dismissing children into the community during the events that led up to this arrest.

Impaired driving means operating a vehicle including cars, trucks, boats, snowmobiles and off-road vehicles while your ability to do so has been compromised to any degree by consuming alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two.

Driving while under the influence puts yourself in danger, as well as your passengers, other drivers and pedestrians.

Plan for a designated driver, take public transit, call a ride-sharing service, or arrange with a friend to stay the night.

Everyone must play a part in keeping our roadways safe.

Thank you to those members of our community who make the choice never to consume alcohol or drugs before driving. Never let anyone else drive if you know or suspect that may be impaired, call 9-1-1, save a life.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com.

On Friday, April 6, 2018, shortly after 3:00p.m., police were notified of a single motor vehicle collision in the area of Wilson Street and Academy Street. The vehicle involved was a grey Ford Edge. Upon arrival, police located the vehicle unoccupied. During this time a male was in the process of being transported to hospital from the area, when he became combative. Through investigation police learned the male patient was the operator of the Ford Edge. He was arrested and after receiving medical treatment, he was held for a bail hearing.

Charged:

Jeffrey Bowman, 41 years of Dundas

Charges:

• Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Refusal Breath Demand
• Fail to Remain at a Collision

April 7, 2018

On Saturday April 7, 2018 shortly before 10:00p.m., police received information about a blue Chevrolet minivan driving erratically in the area of Mohawk Road East and Upper Sherman Avenue. The vehicle was located a short time later in the above stated area. The driver displayed obvious signs of alcohol consumption and was arrested.

The driver was arrested and his vehicle has been impounded for seven days. He was released on a Promise to Appear, scheduled to appear in court on Monday May 7, 2018 to answer to the charges.

Thank you to the public for notifying police though Operation Lookout.

Charged:

34-year-old man from Hamilton

Charges:

• Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Refused Breath Demand

On Saturday, April 7, 2018, shortly before 11:00p.m., police observed a black Ford pickup truck in the intersection of Bay Street North and Strachan Street West. At that time the operator of the vehicle conducted a questionable driving maneuver. Police conducted a traffic stop in order to determine the reason for the action. As police spoke with the driver they detected an odour of alcohol from his breath. The driver was arrested and his vehicle has been impounded for seven days and he was released on a Recognizance, scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, May 10, 2018 to answer to the charge.

Charged:

30-year-old man from Boucherville, Quebec

Charges:

• Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle - Over 80 mg

April 8, 2018

On Sunday, April 8, 2018, shortly before 4:00a.m., Hamilton Police responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a GMC Sierra pickup truck and a Nissan sedan near the intersection of King Street East and John Street North, Hamilton. Investigation revealed the driver of the pickup truck was operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested and his vehicle has been impounded for seven days and he was released on a Promise to Appear, scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, May 10, 2018 to answer to the charges.

Charged:

29-year-old man from Brantford

Charges:

• Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle - Over 80 mg.

On Sunday, April 8, 2018, shortly before 1:00a.m., police received information that a grey Mazda M3 rolled into a curb in the area of King Street East and Sanford Avenue North. Police attend and located the vehicle in contact with a cement wall. Investigation revealed the driver was under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested and his vehicle has been impounded for seven days. He was released on a Promise to Appear, scheduled to appear in court on Thursday May 10, 2018 to answer to the charges.

Charged:

37-year-old man from Toronto

Charges:

• Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle - Over 80 mg.

April 9, 2018

On Sunday, April 8, 2018, shortly before 1:30a.m., police were travelling westbound on Cannon Street East in the area of Victoria Avenue North. At that time they noticed a black Nissan Rogue travelling against the flow of traffic. The vehicle suddenly turned into the parking lot of a commercial business at the above mentioned intersection.

Police followed the vehicle into the parking lot to address the driver about her actions. During the conversation, police determined the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

The driver was arrested and her vehicle has been impounded for seven days. She was released on a Promise to Appear, scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday May 8, 2018 to answer to the charges.

Charged:

31-year-old woman from Hamilton

Charges:

• Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle 
• Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle - Over 80 mg.

Authority:

P.C. Jerome Stewart #86 - Media Relations Officer

On Monday, March 19, 2018, shortly before 11:30 p.m., police were in the area of Regional Road 56 and Golf Club Road conducting speed enforcement. This is near a construction zone where workers were currently on scene.

Police observed a 2012 black Ford F150 travelling in an aggressive manner as it overtook another vehicle. Investigation revealed the truck was operating at a speed of 120 km/hr in a posted 60 km zone. A traffic stop was conducted where police determined the driver was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

A 38-year-old Glanbrook man has been arrested and charged with the following offences:

• Impaired Operation of a Motor
• Impaired Operation Over 80 mg
• Stunt Driving

In accordance with the laws his vehicle was immediately impounded for seven days and his driver’s licence has been suspended for the same amount of time.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, April 19, 2018, to answer for the charges.

Media Inquiries:

Media Relations Office

905-546-4901

Authority:

P.C. Jerome Stewart #86 - Media Relations Officer

On Friday, February 16, 2018, shortly after 9:00 p.m., police observed a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed- well exceeding the speed limit- in the area of Burlington Street East and Sherman Avenue North, Hamilton. A traffic stop was conducted on a 2014 Ford Fusion and through investigation it was learned the driver was operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

A 22-year-old Hamilton man has been arrested for Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Operate Motor Vehicle Over 80 miligrams of Alcohol per 100 mililiters of blood.

He will appear before the courts on Monday, March 12, 2018 to answer to the charges.

On Monday, February 19, 2018, shortly after 5:00 p.m. police observed a Blue Chevrolet Cobalt, travelling westbound on King Street East near East Bend Avenue South, Hamilton. Police also observed the date on the validation sticker had expired.

A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle and the driver, a 32-year-old Hamilton man was found to be on a Canada wide driving prohibition. Further investigation revealed the driver was in violation of his Probation Order as well as a Driver’s Licence Suspension.

The driver has been arrested for Driving Disqualified, Breach of Probation and Drive While Licence Suspended under the Highway Traffic Act.

He was held for a Bail Hearing.

On Monday, February 19, 2018 shortly after 2:00 a.m., police observed a white Buick Verano travelling eastbound on King Street at Caroline Street, Hamilton. The vehicle was travelling the wrong way however police were able to conduct a traffic stop before a collision occurred or persons were injured.

Investigation revealed the driver, a 38-year-old Hamilton man was operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

The driver has been arrested for Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle along with Refuse to Provide a Breath Sample. He will be in court on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 to answer to the charges.

On Monday, February 19, 2018 shortly after 9:00 p.m., police observed a black 2017 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck operating suspiciously on Barton Street East, west of Gage Avenue North. A preliminary investigation revealed the vehicle was reported as stolen from the Niagara Region.

A traffic stop was conducted and police determined the driver was on a Canada wide driving prohibition and was also violating his Probation Order.

Brandon Smith, 19 years of age from Hamilton was held for a bail hearing to answer to the charges of Possession of Stolen Property, Drive While Disqualified, Breach of Probation and Drive While Under Suspension.

Media Inquiries

Media Relations Office

905-546-4901

Authority

P.C. Jerome Stewart #86 Media Relations Officer

Operation Lookout

On Friday, February 2, 2018, shortly before 2:30 a.m., a silver Mini Cooper collided with a parked car and then struck a pole in the area of King Street East and Proctor Boulevard. A witness who had been following the Mini Cooper and observing the vehicle’s actions contacted police immediately upon the collision.

A 29-year-old Hamilton man has been charged with Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Operate Motor Vehicle over 80 miligrams of Alcohol. He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 to answer to the charges. Upon arrest for alcohol related driving offences, a driver is automatically issued a 90-day Driver’s Licence Suspension and their vehicle is impounded for seven days.

Operation Lookout has been in place for close to 20 years. It is an Impaired Driving Campaign which encourages citizens to contact police when they believe they see an impaired driver. Last year 33% of Impaired Driver arrests were generated through the Operation Lockout.

In the event you spot a potential impaired driver, the Hamilton Police Service would like you to contact 905-546-4925 and provide details such as the vehicle description, location and vehicle license plate, if safe to obtain.

Impaired Arrest

On Thursday, February 1, 2018 shortly before 9:00 p.m., a 51-year-old female from Grimsby attended the Stag Shop located at 58 Centennial Parkway North, Hamilton. She engaged in conversation with an employee and a short time later left the store. The employee contacted police as she identified a strong smell of alcohol coming from the woman and feared she would drive away. Police arrived and found the woman, in the parking lot, asleep behind the wheel with the engine running. Officers were able to disable the vehicle.

Through investigation police confirmed the female was impaired by alcohol and was currently prohibited from driving in Canada as a result of two previous Impaired Operation convictions.

Hamilton Police have charged the woman with Impaired Care and Control of a Motor Vehicle, Refuse Breath Sample and Drive while Disqualified. Due the fact she is currently under a driving prohibition, the vehicle she was operating is being held for 90 days.

She has been held for a Bail Hearing scheduled for Friday, February 2, 2018.

Drive While Prohibited

Hamilton Police arrested two drivers for driving while disqualified.

The first driver was observed at 1:30 a.m. in a silver Mazda 3 hatchback driving suspiciously in the Paramount Drive and Mud Street area. A vehicle traffic stop was conducted and the male turned out to be a prohibited driver due to a previous alcohol related driving conviction.

The 41-year-old Hamilton driver was arrested and then released. He will appear in court of Tuesday, February 27, 2018, to answer to the charge of Drive while Disqualified.

The Mazda has been impounded for 45 days due to the violation of the prohibition.

A second driver was observed at 2:00 a.m. in a blue 2002 BMW 325 vehicle. The vehicle was disabled on King Street East near the Red Hill Valley Parkway. In an attempt to help police engaged in conversation with the driver. Further investigation revealed the operator was also a prohibited driver due to an alcohol related driving conviction.

A 20-year-old Hamilton man was arrested and then released. He will appear in court on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, to answer to the charge of Drive while Disqualified. He also faces additional charges for Operating Motor Vehicle on a Highway with No Insurance, Drive Motor Vehicle - No Currently Validated Permit and Use Plate not Authorized for Vehicle

The BMW has been impounded for 45 days due to the violating the prohibition.

Authority

P.C. Jerome Stewart #86 Media Relations Officer