Sarnia police are concerned they're seeing a spike in the number of impaired drivers.
In just over three months so far this year, officers have made 17 arrests.
Cst. John Sottosanti said last year they didn't reach 17 until the end of June.
"The other concern that we're having is the readings are somewhat high," said Sottosanti. "We're noticing they're over two times the legal limit. We've had individuals that have gone five times the legal limit recently. That person had to be taken to the hospital and complete a full battery of tests."
Cst. Sottosanti said officers are also investigating more single-vehicle collisions where alcohol or drugs were a factor.
"We can't stop people from taking the drugs that they take, or drinking what they drink. But, please, don't take another life into your own hands," he said.
Constable Sottosanti said the upward trend is concerning because for every impaired driver that's caught, there are probably three or four others out there.
The penalties for drinking and driving include vehicle impoundment, suspended licenses, fines and jail time.
Penalties for registering a warning for blood alcohol concentration can range from a three-day licence suspension and fine for first-time offenders to a 30-day suspension, fine and installation of an ignition interlock system for repeat offenders.
