A North Vancouver driver has been arrested after refusing to provide a breath sample following a series of reckless driving behaviours observed on Marine Drive.
At approximately 1:20 a.m. on March 20, a North Vancouver RCMP officer on routine patrol near Marine Drive and Garden Avenue spotted a grey Honda Civic travelling eastbound in the westbound lanes. The vehicle continued at excessive speeds, reaching up to 120 km/h, running red lights and swerving across lanes.
The officer caught up to the Honda after the driver slowed for a red light at Marine Drive and Bewicke Avenue. Officers observed signs of impairment and launched an impaired driving investigation. After being read the Approved Screening Device demand, the driver refused to provide a breath sample.
The driver was arrested for refusing to comply with a lawful demand and issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition. He was also ticketed for excessive speed and for driving without consideration, resulting in more than $1,000 in fines and vehicle impound fees.
“This was a cascade of escalating recklessness,” said Cpl. Mansoor Sahak, media relations officer for the North Vancouver RCMP. “It is bad enough that someone would drink and drive, but it is that much worse when they put the lives of other people at risk.”
Sahak said the driver’s alleged excuse for drinking and driving was that he is a bartender and had been testing drinks, which Sahak called “not only irresponsible but incredibly dangerous.”
