RCMP stop 11 impaired drivers during Canada Day weekend
By Nelson Daily Staff
Cpl. Chad Badry of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the West Kootenay Traffic Services was kept busy this Canada Day weekend patrolling the highways in the Kootenay/Boundary region.
Badry said officers cited the motorists for numerous infractions, including 53 speeding tickets, five seatbelt and two cell phone violations as well as 11 drivers were removed from the road for driving while impaired by drug or alcohol.
“Thankfully there were no fatalities in our area,” Badry added.
Badry did document a rather close call for a driver clocked speeding at 150 km/h in a 100-km/h zone during the night.
“The police officer activated his emergency equipment to slow down (the driver) and pull him over,” Badry explained.
“The police officer then saw a large bull moose walk onto, and, into the driving lane directly behind the speeding vehicle,” Badry added.
“Hitting a moose at any speed can have grave consequences, but at that speed it could have been devastating.”
ICBC stats show in the Southern Interior, an average of 25 people are killed in impaired-related crashes every year.
In 2015, 24 people were injured in 120 crashes in the Southern Interior on Canada Day.
“Driving while impaired or riding with someone who is impaired is never worth the risk,” said Chief Constable Neil Dubord, Chair of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee.
“Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or arrest are significant and can last a lifetime. Police across B.C. will be looking for impaired drivers at CounterAttack road checks this summer.”
RCMP and Nelson Police, which responded to 30 calls for service Canada Day, will continue its CounterAttack road checks throughout the summer.
“We will be working hard to keep our roads safe all summer long,” Badry said.
“So please remember to buckle up, keep your eyes on the road, drive within the speed limit, and keep your mind on your driving.”
Signs of an impaired driver:
- Driving unreasonably fast, slow or at an inconsistent speed
- Drifting in and out of lanes
- Tailgating and changing lanes frequently
- Making exceptionally wide turns
- Changing lanes or passing without sufficient clearance
- Overshooting or stopping well before stop signs or stop lights
- Disregarding signals and lights
- Approaching signals or leaving intersections too quickly or slowly
- Driving without headlights, failing to lower high beams or leaving turn signals on
Drivers spotting an impaired driver should maintain a safe distance and then:
- Call 911 (If you are driving, pull over first if you can safely do so)
- State your location
- Vehicle description
- Licence plate number of vehicle
- Colour of vehicle
- Make and model of vehicle
- Direction of travel for the vehicle
- Description of driver
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