Abbotsford drunk, unlicensed driver pulled over after child blew into ignition interlock system

Police in Abbotsford say a drunk and unlicensed driver has been referred to the Ministry of Child and Family Development (MCFD) after they had their child blow into an ignition interlock system — which is aimed at preventing impaired drivers from hitting the road.

The Abbotsford Police Department says at around 11 p.m. on Wednesday, officers were out on patrol and saw a vehicle that they believed to be driven by an impaired driver.

Last night, during a proactive traffic stop, a driver admitted to members that they made their child blow into the ignition interlock system installed in the vehicle. AbbyPD impounded the car and served a 90-day IRP to the driver. The MCFD was also advised. #RoadSafetyMatters pic.twitter.com/X0Z2WLvphM

— Abbotsford Police Department (@AbbyPoliceDept) June 15, 2023

Speaking to CityNews, Const. Art Stele says when police ran the licence plate in their system, it was revealed that the driver is currently without a valid licence. They were pulled over and, during a roadside breath test, Stele says the driver blew “well over the limit.”

“The driver then stated and admitted to the officer that they had their child, that was also present at the scene of the stop, in the vehicle, blow into the device in order to kind of circumnavigate that, allowing her to turn on the car and then drive,” Stele explained.

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The driver was handed an immediate 90-day roadside prohibition, Stele says, adding the vehicle was also impounded.

“The officer, as well as our department, basically could not ignore the fact that this person used their child to circumnavigate this device that would prevent impaired driving and furthermore, put the child at risk themselves and the public.”

The officers then called the MCFD and provided details about the incident, Stele says.

“We are very fortunate to have caught that before accidents occurred or any harm to the child, driver, or public occurred,” he said.

“So, we took additional precautions to inform the ministry, as well as the officer lecturing the driver about the optics as well as the risks that they just put the child into, because children are still developing.

“They are put in the care of adults and we need to make sure that the adults, specifically the parents of children, have all the tools information, and resources to provide a safe upbringing for the children they are trusted with.”

While he hasn’t heard of drivers using their children to get around interlock systems before, Stele says there have been times when would-be drivers tried to tamper with the devices to allow their vehicles to start.

Stele says whatever happens next regarding MCFD involvement will be up to that department and its social workers.

–With files from Dean Recksiedler