Two separate Sea to Sky drivers are facing serious consequences following traffic stops on Aug. 9.
First, at 11:10 a.m. that day, on Highway 99, near downtown Squamish, a BC Highway Patrol officer stopped a pickup being driven by a 42-year-old North Vancouver man who was listed as a prohibited driver.
While investigating the driving ban, police found approximately seven cases of unstamped contraband tobacco products.
The driver of the pickup was suspected to be operating an illegal tobacco store, according to Cpl. Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol, in a news release.
Now the man will face a court date for both prohibited driving and possession of an unstamped tobacco product under Section 32(1) of the Excise Act.
Next, in what McLaughlin called a “dramatic stop,” an officer on a BMW motorcycle recorded a Suzuki motorcycle travelling 196 km/h in an 80 km zone on Highway 99 near Furry Creek at 2:30 p.m. that same day.
The 40-year-old Abbotsford rider failed the roadside breath sample tests, indicating they were impaired. The rider received a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition, an excessive speeding ticket, and the motorcycle was impounded for 30 days.
The allegations against both the driver and the rider have not yet been tested in court.
“On the bright side, the motorcyclist did not die or kill anyone else,” said McLaughlin.
“Excessive speed plus alcohol impairment is a recipe that we see time and again in fatal collisions.”
McLaughlin added that drivers on the Sea to Sky Highway are encouraged to drive safely.
“Anyone whose unsafe behaviour attracts BC Highway Patrol may face higher costs and more charges than they bargained for."
