The BC Highway Patrol says a ride-hailing driver in Victoria had his licence suspended, and may face criminal charges, after police suspected he was driving while impaired.
The driver was stopped on the evening of Aug. 17 in downtown Victoria, while the BC Highway Patrol was in the area to enforce driving regulations for taxis, limousines and ride-hailing vehicles.
Mounties say the driver was spotted “changing lanes in an unsafe manner” near the intersection of Douglas and View streets when officers pulled him over.
“After stopping the vehicle, the investigation that followed led officers to form the suspicion that the driver was impaired by a drug and he was subsequently arrested,” said the highway patrol in a release Thursday.
The man’s licence was suspended for 24 hours, and his vehicle was also impounded for one day.
Police say the driver may face criminal charges, depending on how the investigation unfolds.
“Drivers of ride-hailing vehicles are in a position where they are responsible for ensuring the safety of their passengers,” said Staff Sgt. Adam Tallboy, acting officer in charge of BCHP Vancouver Island, in a release Thursday.
“As such, they are held to a high standard by their customers, employers and law enforcement,” he said. “BC Highway Patrol is committed to working together with our partner agencies to uphold these standards on our highways.”
Last week, Victoria police said they were also looking for a driver who allegedly posed as a rideshare driver who picked up a woman from the downtown area.
The woman exited the vehicle shortly after the driver told her he was taking her to his home.
Adam Chan
