NANAIMO — Local Mounties are reminding young drivers the laws around impaired driving still apply during grad season.
On Saturday, June 6, around 11 p.m., Nanaimo RCMP clocked a car at 136 kilometres per hour in a 90 zone, heading south on Hwy. 1, towards Southgate Shopping Centre in Chase River, with four young adults between 18 and 21 years of age inside.
Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien said after the car was pulled over, the officer immediately smelled alcohol coming from the vehicle, with open liquor visible inside.
“The driver displayed symptoms of drinking. He was given a roadside screening device, and he blew WARN twice. An immediate roadside prohibition was put in place, the vehicle was impounded for seven days, and he was given a ticket for excessive speed, driving contrary to restrictions because he had a class seven, and open liquor in the vehicle.”
A WARN reading means a certain level of alcohol was detected in their system, but not enough for an impaired driving charge.
Everyone in the vehicle left the scene with alternate drivers, and the parents/guardians were notified.
O’Brien said one of the female passengers was wearing a prom dress, and another passenger told him they were unable to find a taxi after her prom, when their friend offered them a ride.
However, the passengers relayed that they didn’t know the driver had been drinking before picking them up.
“They really thanked us, and the parents were very appreciative, and they recognize that this is a wake-up call. It can happen to anybody. That one moment of indecision can lead to a lifetime of tragedy.”
While high school graduation-related impaired driving incidents still occur, O’Brien said they’re thankfully not as common as they used to be, but they unfortunately still happen.
“People are anxious. We’re in a society where you want instant results, and sometimes they don’t want to wait for a taxi, or they don’t want to wait for that person who has to drive and pick them up, and unfortunately, put themselves in a precarious situation where they didn’t realize the driver had been drinking.”
He said their members will continue to patrol local roadways for impaired drivers throughout the summer driving season.
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