Drivers dinged under new drinking and driving law

The launch of the new drinking and driving legislation on September 20th has already seen the suspension of three drivers’ licences in Revelstoke.

A statement from Const. Rod Wiebe of the Revelstoke detachment said the first incident was on September 20 at about 12:45 a.m.  A roadblock was being conducted in the 500 block of Wright Street when a 20-year-old Revelstoke resident pulled up to the officers.  The male driver displayed signs of alcohol consumption so he was directed to provide a sample of breath into an approved screening device (ASD).  The results of the test was a warning.  The driver was issued a three-day suspension which includes a $200 monetary penalty.

The next incident occurred near 1:45 a.m. when police observed a vehicle run a stop sign on Third Avenue West.  The Chrysler PT Cruiser was stopped and checked and it was apparent the driver had consumed alcohol.  An ASD test was administered which the 26-year-old male from Switzerland failed.  He was issued an immediate 90-day driving prohibition and the rental vehicle he was driving was impounded for 30 days.  There is also a $500 monetary penalty that is attached to the 90-day driving prohibition.

Finally on September 22nd at 1:40 a.m. a vehicle was seen leaving the area of a liquor establishment.  The vehicle was stopped and the driver checked for his sobriety level.  The driver, a 22-year-old Canmore resident, displayed signs of alcohol consumption so an ASD test was administered.  The result of the test was a warning which triggered a three-day driving prohibition and a $200 monetary penalty.

British Columbia’s new impaired driving legislation has enabled police to immediately remove these dangerous drivers from our roads which makes Revelstoke a safer community.