Rankin Inlet man faces impaired driving charge

Rankin Inlet RCMP say they’ve charged a 20-year-old man with impaired driving, after receiving a report of an ATV being driven erratically on the road.

On Wednesday, July 15, shortly after 2:30 a.m., a Rankin Inlet bylaw officer reported seeing an ATV being driven erratically on the road near the RCMP detachment, according to an RCMP news release.

Rankin Inlet RCMP say they tried to conduct a traffic stop but the driver refused. The driver eventually stopped and tried to run, but police say they soon caught him.

The man was later released from custody and is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Aug. 31 in Rankin Inlet.

Rankin Inlet RCMP say that, with the arrival of warmer weather and an increasing number of ATVs on the roads, it continues to receive complaints about impaired drivers.

“Police have charged seven different individuals with impaired driving charges since the start of June 2020 in Rankin Inlet. The Rankin Inlet RCMP appreciate those community members who have assisted with identifying those who are driving impaired and reporting them,” the news release states.

“The RCMP would like to remind residents impaired driving is a criminal offence regardless of whether is takes place on the road, out on the land or on water if you are operating a vessel.”