A driver was arrested in Sicamous for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle after allegedly travelling through the Bruhn Bridge construction zone when it was closed to traffic.

Around 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, Sicamous RCMP were alerted by flaggers at the bridge of an eastbound Nissan Maxima that had pushed through construction barricades in place west of the community on Highway 1.

"The driver had driven down the hill where they encountered flaggers who attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver stopped momentarily and then continued on through the closed highway and over the bridge," said RCMP Sgt. Murray McNeil in a media release.

Police stopped the vehicle near Kerr Road and found a 35-year-old driving showing signs of impairment, along with "drug pipes on the driver's seat."

The driver was arrested and later released from custody, having been issued a 24-hour driving prohibition and their vehicle impounded. Also, a $368 fine was issued for driving without consideration.

McNeil said the driver displayed a complete disregard for the safety of the construction and traffic control workers, and themselves by driving through a closed highway under construction with active rock scaling.

"Drivers who ignore the closure and attempt to drive through the bridge work can expect similar consequences," said McNeil. Bridge closures are scheduled to occur between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily with the exception of Sundays when no construction takes place."