A sign telling motorists to report impaired drivers was luckily the only thing damaged in an impaired drivers’ outing in the West Shore this week.
West Shore RCMP received a call on March 21 shortly before 10 p.m. saying the driver of a pickup truck crashed into a sign near Craigflower and Admirals roads in View Royal.
The caller said the truck was driving fast and it rode onto the sidewalk and crashed into a sign that said Report Impaired Drivers.
RCMP officers went to the area but the driver had already left and was reported to be heading towards Victoria. In the crash, the drivers licence plate had come off the vehicle, so RCMP told the Victoria Police Department about the crash and of the licence plate.
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- The driver’s license plate came off when they hit the Report Impaired Drivers sign. (VicPD handout image)
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- The Report Impaired Drivers sign was damaged when an impaired driver hit it. (VicPD handout image)
VicPD officers were able to find the driver near Craigflower Road and Catherine Street. The driver was stopped and an impaired driving investigation began.
“This was a dangerous impaired driver who was taken off the roadway just minutes after the report to police came in,” said Cpl. Nancy Saggar, West Shore RCMP media relations officer.
Victoria Police says the investigation is ongoing, but police have recommended charges of operating a motor vehicle while impaired and operating a motor vehicle with over 80 mgs of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. Crown has not yet sworn charges against the driver.
The driver was arrested and released with a future court date.
While this incident only resulted in damage to a sign, impaired driving can have disastrous consequences.
According to ICBC, 21 per cent of fatal crashes in the province involve impaired driving. Each year, 61 people die as the result of impaired driving in B.C.
Penalties for impaired driving include 24-hour to 90-day driving suspensions, vehicle impoundment, fines ranging from $600 to $4,060, jail time, mandatory rehabilitation and installation of ignition interlock on your vehicle.
RELATED: No injuries after impaired driver crashes into side of Victoria building
Laura Brougham
