Over the past week Columbia Valley RCMP, along with the East Kootenay RCMP Traffic Services, has increased its vigilance surrounding impaired driving.

Consequently, officers pulled 12 impaired drivers off the road in seven days.

The following is a quick snap shot of what occurred, as provided by Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment commander Sgt. Bob Vatamaniuck.

On December 13, RCMP members were conducting a check-stop near Radium Hot Springs when a driver approached and officers noted a smell of liquor emanating from the male driver, along with an open case of beer in the vehicle. Investigation led to a seven-day driver’s licence prohibition.

On December 15, at about 9 p.m., police were in Invermere when they noted a truck fail to stop at a stop sign. An officer spoke to the driver who had bloodshot eyes and smelled of liquor. The driver provided samples of his breath that analyzed as a “Fail.” The result for the driver meant he is prohibited from driving for 90 days and his vehicle was impounded 30 days.

Then, on December 16 at about 2:30 a.m., police witnessed a vehicle run through a stop sign in Invermere. As officers were chatting with the driver they noted a strong odour of liquor. This driver provided two samples into a screening device which were analyzed as “Fail” readings.

Finally, on December 17 at about 2:30 a.m. police were patrolling the Invermere downtown core when a sedan was observed travelling on the centre line a few times along with some over-corrections and unnecessary braking. When the car was pulled over by police, it hit the curb.

The young female driver denied consuming any alcohol but she displayed such evidence as an odour of liquor on her breath, slurred speech, and glossy eyes. She eventually admitted to drinking before she decided to drive. Her two breath samples resulted in “Fail.” She too lost her driver’s licence for 90 days and her car was impounded for 30 days.

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