NEWS RELEASE
SOUTH SIMCOE POLICE SERVICE
******************
On Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at approximately 10:27 p.m., a South Simcoe Police Service officer on patrol in Bradford observed an electric motorcycle with the headlight off and the driver carrying his helmet. A traffic stop was conducted near Melbourne Drive and Holland Street West. The officer detected an odour of alcohol and made a demand for a roadside screening device test. As a result, 41-year-old Jason Morfopoulos of Newmarket was charged with operation while impaired, failing to comply with the breath demand and failing to wear a helmet. The e-bike was impounded for seven days and the driver's licence suspended for 90 days. He was released with a future court date.
Drinking and driving a motor vehicle is a Criminal Code offence and charges are laid under the Criminal Code of Canada. Under the Criminal Code, the definition of a "motor vehicle" includes an e-bike, and anyone operating an e-bike intoxicated can be charged with impaired driving. If convicted, the offender would be subject to the Criminal Code penalties, including a fine or jail time, and a driving prohibition.
*********************
