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2 ‘new’ drivers cited for excessive speed in Nanoose Bay area

Police say drivers showed signs of impairment; children were also in vehicles
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(Black Press file photo)

Parksville members of the BC Highway Patrol nabbed two motorists driving at excessive speeds in the Nanoose Bay area during a month-long, provincial High Risk Driving Campaign in May.

Sgt. Adam Tallboy, acting officer-in-charge of the Vancouver Island Highway Patrol, said both incidents involved two new Class 7 drivers, with children also in the vehicles.

The first incident happened just before 7 p.m. on May 4. Tallboy said highway patrol members working in the Nanoose Bay area got a radar reading of a vehicle travelling 150 kilometres per hour, in a posted 90 km/h zone.

“Upon stopping the vehicle, the officer found the driver held a Class 7 new driver’s licence,” said Tallboy. “She also had young children in the vehicle. While talking to the driver, the officer smelled alcohol.”

He said the driver “failed” two roadside screening procedures, was given a 90-day driving prohibition and a fine for excessive speed and the vehicle was impounded for 30 days.

The second incident happened at approximately 4 p.m on May 18.

READ MORE: RCMP: Driver fined after speed clocked at 160 km/h in Qualicum Beach

“We received a complaint about a vehicle driving erratically,” said Tallboy. “We had an officer in the area. They used a radar reading as well and had the vehicle travelling at 147 km/h in a 90 km/h zone on the Island Highway.”

The driver also had a Class 7 licence, and was travelling with a child in the vehicle. She was suspected of being under the influence and was administered a roadside screening test, which Tallboy said the driver failed. She was handed a 90-day driving suspension, a fine and the vehicle was impounded for 30 days.

“I am thankful that the officers were able to stop these vehicles because there could have been a tragic outcome,” said Tallboy.

Tallboy said the RCMP deal with reported impaired drivers at all times in the day.

“Please make smart decisions,” Tallboy said. “Driving with excessive speed is dangerous and impaired driving is dangerous. Tragic outcomes are something we would love not to have to deal with.”

Michael.Briones@pqbnews.com

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Michael Briones

About the Author: Michael Briones

I rejoined the PQB News team in April 2017 from the Comox Valley Echo, having previously covered sports for The NEWS in 1997.
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