Alcohol consumption was a factor behind several driving prohibitions issued recently by Salmon Arm RCMP. 

At 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, RCMP responded to a report of a vehicle in a ditch, and the driver throwing beers cans out of the vehicle, said Const. Andrew Hodges in a media release. Officers located the vehicle and its lone occupant "who admitted to driving," and explained he'd ended up in the ditch after swerving to avoid hitting a deer. 

Hodges said a a roadside breath demand was conducted, and the driver blew a warn. 

"The driver had prior alcohol related driving offences, and was served a 7-day driving prohibition as directed by RoadSafetyBC, and the vehicle was impounded for 7 days," said Hodges.

Vehicle totalled

On Sunday, Nov. 3, police responded to a report of a vehicle colliding with multiple other vehicles on 30th Street SW, until finally coming to a stop at which point the driver attempted to flee on foot.  

"The driver was reported to smell heavily of alcohol," said Hodges.  After arriving on scene, police located the driver who Hodges said declined to identify himself.

"A breath demand was conducted and the man refused to provide a sample of his breath," said Hodges, noting a refusal carries the same penalty as blowing "fail."

"The driver was served a 90-day driving prohibition, and his totalled 2019 Chevrolet Malibu was impounded for 30 days. The driver was held in police custody for obstruction and later released once he identified himself to police."

Wrong way

At 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10,  officers patrolling along 5th Avenue SW saw a grey 2021 BMW X5 make a left turn directly into the oncoming lane. Hodges said the vehicle then slowly drifted back, crossing a solid yellow line, into the correct lane.

Police stopped the vehicle and asked the 47-year-old male driver for his licence and insurance.

"The man handed police Alberta registration papers for a different vehicle, and had slow, nervous movements," noted Hodges, adding police could smell alcohol coming from the driver. A breath demand was conducted and the driver blew a fail on both his first and second attempt. The vehicle was impounded for a mandatory 30 days, and the driver was prohibited from driving for 90 days. 

Suspicious truck

At 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10,  police stopped a suspicious white pickup truck at 5th Ave SW.

Hodges said police spoke with the 47-year-old male driver (not the same one stopped at 12:30 a.m.), who was "exhibiting signs of intoxication, including failing to notice the police officer standing next to the vehicle window."

When advised to provide a breath sample, continued Hodges, the man stated he would not and rolled up his window.

Further attempts were made to obtain a breath sample from the man, but he continued to refuse. The vehicle was subsequently impounded for 30 days, and the man was prohibited from driving for 90 days. Hodges said the man was also arrested for being intoxicated in a public place, as "police did not believe he was able to care for himself." The man was held in police custody until sober.

All of the above matters were referred to RoadSafetyBC.