Shortly after midnight on Saturday, a RCMP officer was patrolling in a marked police vehicle in the Trail Gulch when he discovered that a driver, identified as a 20-year-old Rossland man, was behind the wheel without valid insurance.
The officer detained the man and his vehicle roadside.
Suspecting that the man’s ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol, a breathalyzer demand was read, which police say, resulted in a "fail."
The 20-year-old was issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition and his vehicle is in impound for 30 days.
“Please arrange for a safe ride home if you plan to drink alcohol or use drugs,” says Sgt. Mike Wicentowich. “We want everyone get home to their families this holiday season.”
B.C. has the toughest drinking and driving laws in Canada, according to ICBC.
Those caught driving impaired can face penalties such as driving suspensions from 24 hours to 90 days; vehicle impoundment; fines from $600 to $4,060; jail time; mandatory rehabilitation; and installation of an ignition interlock.
Drivers may also have to pay a driver risk premium, on top of their insurance.
"If you crash while driving impaired, you're likely in breach of your insurance policy," ICBC states. "That means you could be personally responsible for 100 percent of the costs if you damage someone else's property or injure them."
