A suspected impaired driver who sped away from an attempted traffic stop Saturday night didn’t get far before being caught by West Shore RCMP.
He wasn’t found to be impaired, but ended up with more than $1,000 in fines and 16 penalty points. Drivers with more than three penalty points in a 12-month period have to pay a premium on their insurance.
Police responded about 10:30 p.m. to a report about a driver believed to be impaired on Ocean Boulevard in Colwood.
They attempted to stop the vehicle, a black Mazda CX-5, but the driver took off.
The vehicle was located a short time later, and the 43-year-old driver was arrested.
His fines included $483 for excessive speed, $144 for failing to stop for police, $121 for an unsafe U-turn, $109 for crossing a double-solid line, $109 for an illegal pass and $109 for failing to take proper precautions for vulnerable road users.
In addition, the vehicle was impounded, and the driver was served with a notice for stunting — a term for unsafe driving that can include spins and skids.
“This driver’s reckless actions put themselves, our officers and members of the public at significant risk,” said Cpl. Mike Jacobson of the West Shore RCMP Traffic Unit.
Jacobson said failing to stop for police is a serious offence, with consequences that could include Criminal Code charges, fines, points on one’s driver’s licence and possibly loss of the vehicle.
