Two friends lost their licences and were hit with major fines after a traffic stop in B.C.
BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) shared information today about the traffic stop that occurred on Sept. 19.
At around 5:15 p.m. on Highway 5 near Heffley Creek, a BCHP driver stopped a Toyota Matrix after clocking it driving at 130 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. BCHP found that a 33-year-old Savona woman was driving the Matrix, and she told the police officer she was driving fast because she was trying to catch up with her friend.
Her friend was driving a Jeep Liberty, which had stopped just ahead of the Matrix.
During the B.C. traffic stop, the officer demanded a breath sample from the Savona woman. She provided two samples that showed readings of “Fail.”
The officer also approached the second driver and demanded a breath sample from her. The 29-year-old driver of the Jeep Liberty, a Kamloops woman, also provided two samples, both of which resulted in “Fail.”
Because of their driving infractions, both drivers received a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition. They also received a 30-day vehicle impoundment and about $1,400 in tow and impound fees, administrative penalties, and a licence reinstatement fee.
The Matrix driver also got hit with a $138 speeding ticket.
“This situation, like most impaired driving, was preventable at so many stages,” said BCHP Sergeant Michael McLaughlin. “The decision to drive separately was part of a compounding series of bad judgments. Drinkers need to plan ahead so that they avoid selfish and dangerous choices.”