A 17-year-old Castlegar youth is facing a number of penalties after being found under the influence of alcohol while driving.
According to Trail RCMP Sgt. Mike Wicentowich, police responded to a single vehicle motor accident on Nov. 16 on Highway 22 near Red Mountain in Rossland. A vehicle had slid off the highway into the ditch, but was successfully recovered by the driver.
“While on scene, the RCMP officer investigated the alleged drug-impaired driving of the driver. The new driver was issued a 12-hour driving prohibition … after being found under the influence of alcohol,” said Wicentowich in a media statement.
Drivers under B.C.’s graduated licensing program cannot have any drugs or alcohol in their system when operating a motor vehicle.
New drivers who operate a motor vehicle with any presence of alcohol, THC or cocaine in their system face the following consequences:
• Immediate 12-hour licence suspension.
• Having their driving record reviewed by the superintendent and potential further driving prohibitions.
• Having to apply to reinstate their driver’s licence after any prohibition longer than 24 hours and to pay the licence reinstatement fee.
• Novice drivers start over at the beginning of their 24-month licensing period.
• Learners will reattempt all testing.