LEBANON — A Berwick driver faces up to five years in prison after he was charged with his fifth operating under the influence offense by Maine State Police on Monday.

As well, Lance Faucher, 30, was charged with operating after revocation of his driver’s license as a habitual offender. 

Both charges are Class C felonies.

Maine State Police Trooper Conner Walton of Troop A in Alfred stopped Faucher at about 8 p.m. Monday when he noticed the motorist was driving in the breakdown lane. 

According to a posting on the State Police social media page, Faucher attempted to get out of the vehicle, despite Walton’s commands that he stay inside.

“Signs of impairment were detected, and field sobriety tests were conducted,” police said in the statement. “Faucher failed these tests, and was subsequently arrested.”

He was remanded to the York County Jail in Alfred where his bail was set at $5,000.

He was scheduled to make his first court appearance on Wednesday at Springvale District Court by video link from the jail. 

Police said Faucher has four prior OUI convictions on his driving record.

According to the Maine Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Highway Safety, impaired driving is one of the most serious traffic risks facing the nation, killing thousands every year. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, significant reductions in the number of alcohol-related traffic deaths occurred in the 1980s and early 1990s, but progress has since been slow. More than 16,000 people were killed nationwide in alcohol-related crashes in 2005. 

In 2012, the most recent year reported by the Bureau of Highway Safety, 7,014 people were arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].