Over the past few years I’ve noticed a disturbing trend with drivers without licenses. I can say they know how to drive and likely have been driving for a number of years. But they no longer want to play be the rules.

Last week Kimberley RCMP dealt with two such drivers. What happens is drivers commit a number of offences, fines build and they don’t pay. Eventually the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles catches up to them and will not issue them a license until they pay the outstanding fines. So guess what? They carry on driving without a license. Then, when they go to renew their vehicle insurance, they need to pay. To get around this they ‘sell’ the vehicle to another party and continue to drive. Warning to the registered owner who is now responsible for that vehicle:  they will be held liable. The first time the driver is stopped they receive a violation ticket for No Driver’s License. After that they usually have to attend court and explain their actions to a judge.

ATVs and soccer        

Police received a report of an ATV driving on the Purcell Soccer field behind Marysville Arena.  First off, the driver could be charged with a number of offences under the Motor Vehicle Act depending on how the vehicle got there. But more importantly is the damage that could be caused by the ATV. Please be respectful of other property and stay off. If anybody witnesses such behavior please contact police.

Traffic enforcement under adverse conditions

Police often get traffic complaints about drivers not operating their vehicle properly during poor conditions. Other times, police even observe such behavior but aren’t able to deal with it due to the road conditions.  I had this situation just last week.

While en route to Cranbrook early in the morning, I observed a vehicle pass two vehicles, it was done safely but I wasn’t sure why given the less-than-ideal road conditions and the fact the other vehicles seemed to be traveling close to the speed limit.

A few kilometers later I observed the same vehicle pass three cars in a row on the highway. It was hard to tell for sure given the gravel, but it could have been a solid line. Now the driver has upped the jeopardy.  But given the road conditions and the fact the suspect was now five vehicles away I did not feel I should risk my safety or the other five drivers in an attempt to catch him.  Yes we have lights and sirens but we need to go fast – something that is not always the best given the conditions. Just the way it goes sometimes, but there will be another day.

Cpl. Chris Newel

Kimberley RCMP

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