7 vehicles impounded in the Kootenays over Thanksgiving weekend: police
Posted October 12, 2023 9:14 pm.
Mounties say the BC Highway Patrol impounded seven vehicles over the Thanksgiving weekend for cases of “aggressive and dangerous driving.”
According to police, the worst highway incident of the weekend came on Sunday, Oct. 8, when officers stopped and impounded a vehicle on Highway 93 near Kootenay National Park.
The driver had been driving at speeds of nearly 200 kilometres per hour in a 90 zone, police say. The 22-year-old man from Edmonton was charged with excessive speeding and fined $483 in addition to losing his vehicle for seven days.
BC Highway Patrol says two cases of vehicles being impounded stemmed from excessive speeding, earning their drivers fines of $368. A fourth incident in Kootenay National Park found a driver under the influence of alcohol, prompting police to hand impound their vehicle for three days and hand out a three-day “roadside prohibition.”
Police say an additional three drivers had their vehicles impounded for seven days after excessively speeding, one driver had been driving without a licence as well.
Aside from those cases of aggressive and dangerous driving, Mounties say the roads were incident-free for the rest of the weekend.
“Perhaps officers impounding seven vehicles due to aggressive and dangerous driving helped keep the roads safe,” police said in a release.
In tandem with cold, wet, and dark conditions rolling in, the BC Highway Patrol is bringing in the “Drive Relative to Conditions Campaign.” As part of the campaign, Mounties are asking drivers to slow down and obey posted speed limits.
“We want to remind all drivers that, as the season changes, it is essential to adjust driving habits according to the conditions,” Sgt. Ron Kneckt added.
