White Rock RCMP remove another impaired driver

White Rock

2021-12-14 14:06 PST

File # 2021-7116

In the early morning hours of December 14th, 2021, a White Rock RCMP officer was patrolling North Bluff Road in the 15200 block when he observed a vehicle travelling above the posted speed limit and through a red light at George Street.

A traffic stop was initiated and the driver (and lone occupant) displayed numerous indicators of being impaired. The roadside alcohol screening device (ASD) demand was read by the investigating officer and the driver refused to provide a sample of his breath. He was subsequently issued:

a 90 day driving prohibition;
a vehicle impoundment for 30 days;
violation tickets under the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA).

As of December 18, 2018, police no longer require a reasonable suspicion to demand a breath sample from a driver. Anyone operating a motor vehicle who is lawfully stopped by police can be required to provide a breath sample, at the roadside, to detect potential alcohol in their blood. Failure to comply with this demand also carries the same, or greater, penalties as driving while impaired.

B.C. has the toughest drinking and driving laws in Canada. If you’re caught driving impaired, you could face these penalties:

Driving suspensions from 24 hours to 90 days
Vehicle impoundment
Fines, from $600 and up to $4,060
Jail time
Mandatory rehabilitation
Installation of ignition interlock in your vehicle

White Rock RCMP want to remind everyone to plan a safe ride home. If you don’t have a designated driver, find an alternate way home such as Uber, taxi or transit. Impaired driving is 100 % preventable

ICBC infographic with a car, bus, taxi with check marks for a safe ride home