B.C.'s new tougher drinking and driving laws came into effect today, but some drivers don't seem to be getting the message.
The new laws kicked in at midnight last night and just twenty minutes later North Vancouver RCMP had issued their first three-day driving prohibition and impoundment. Within the next three hours, police caught two more offenders and one was hit with a 90-day prohibition and a 30-day vehicle impoundment for blowing over .08.
West Vancouver RCMP had a busy night too, busting six people on the Lions Gate Bridge and Trans-Canada Highway. Three people received three-day bans and two were issued 90-day bans.
All of these drivers face hundreds, and in some cases thousands of dollars in fines, including towing and storage fees.
Police have welcomed the changes, which give them the power to have an immediate impact on impaired drivers and their vehicles.
"It feels good." said Cpl. Peter DeVries in a release Monday. "The community's threshold of tolerance for drunk driving has reached zero. Now, with the enforcement powers afforded by this new legislation, police can more accurately reflect that threshold in a tangible and meaningful way."
Langley RCMP had their hands full in the week leading up to the new laws, arresting seven people for drinking and driving and issuing eight 24-hour driving prohibitions.
On Sept. 16, police responded to reports of a collision involving three vehicles on 264 Street. Police say a 31-year-old Abbotsford man driving an Oldsmobile was exhibiting signs of impairment at the scene. He was taken to hospital along with a female passenger in the car, where a blood sample was taken for analysis. They were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
On the afternoon of Sept. 19, police stopped a 41-year-old Langley man for a traffic violation. He appeared drunk according to police and was arrested and produced breath samples of just under three times the legal limit. Initially he insisted he'd only consumed a couple beers but later admitted to drinking an entire case of beer the day before.
Later that day, the same officer received reports of a 39-year-old female who witnesses saw get behind the wheel after drinking at a restaurant. She proceeded to collide with a parked car and attempt to drive away. She was arrested and blew double the legal limit, according to police.
Last night in Maple Ridge, police didn't even have to pull over someone they suspected was drinking and driving – he came crashing into them. Just an hour before the new laws came into effect, a suspected drunk driver crashed his truck into a cop car. The 23-year-old driver and Const. Curtis Genest were both taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Police are hoping that if drunk drivers aren't getting the message yet, they will soon. They are warning that drinking and driving continues to occur even in the light of day and encourage the public to report any suspicious activity right away.
Police believe that the new laws, their new zero tolerance policy and vigilance from the public will help to save lives.
