Oceanside RCMP say a Qualicum Beach motorist, who stopped to assist with a possible impaired driver and subsequently failed a roadside alcohol screening test themselves, received a 90-day driving prohibition and had their vehicle impounded for 30 days.

Sgt. Shane Worth reported that at 5:30 p.m. on New YearÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s Eve, a possible impaired driver in Qualicum Beach was reported to Oceanside RCMP. The suspected impaired driver had pulled over to the side of Fern Road near Berwick Road, and a second motorist stopped to prevent them from driving.

When officers arrived, said Worth, they smelled alcohol on the breath of the second driver and administered the roadside alcohol screening test, which the driver failed. The driver received an immediate 90-day driving prohibition and had their vehicle impounded for 30 days.

Worth said the motorist reported to have been driving impaired was confirmed to be sober but having difficulty driving in the dark. He added two further immediate 90-day driving prohibitions and 30-day vehicle impoundments were issued by Oceanside RCMP officers on New YearÏ㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥™s Eve; one for a driver who refused a roadside alcohol screening test and one for a driver who failed a roadside screening test after a single-vehicle crash.

Unfortunately, there are many people who still believe it is OK to drink and drive, said Worth. Impaired driving is an offence, it is dangerous to everyone using the roads and our officers are targeting impaired drivers every day of the year to take them off the street.