On June 19th and 20th South Okanagan Traffic Services in conjunction with Penticton RCMP Detachment, Southeast District Traffic Services and Ministry of Transporation and Infrastructure Area Vehicle Inspectors conducted road checks throughout the Penticton area. The roadchecks were conducted at various locations for most of this 48 hour period.
Twenty five RCMP officers participated in these roadchecks. The entire South Okanagan Traffic Services unit was involved as well as Penticton Municipal Traffic members. Nine members from other parts of Southeastern B.C. participated as well as three Reserve Constables.
The large purple vehicle that people saw this past weekend is the RCMP E Division Mobile Road Safety Unit, otherwise known as Alexa’s Bus (Alexa Middelaer). This is a self contained vehicle that can act as a mobile command post or police office. It is equiped with Intoximeters (commonly called breathalyzers by the public), temporary holding cells, a dark room enabling Drug Recognition Experts to conduct eye examinations during their evaluations. This and other equipment enable peace officers to process impaired drivers as if they were at a regular police office.
The following charges / incidents occured:
Criminal Code Impaired Driving – 1
90 day Immediate Roadside Prohibitions (Impaired Driving) -15
3 day IRP’s -3
90 day Administrative Driving Prohibition (Impaired Driving) – 1
24 Hour Prohibitions – 4
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – 1 (3 kg of marihuana)
Possession of Cocaine – 1
Drug Seizures without charges – 6
Liquor Seizures – 6
Driving while Prohibited – 9
Notices of Driving Prohibitions served – 2
Excessive Speeding – 2 – both were motorcycles, both were operated by middle aged men, both were travelling in excess
of 130 kph in an 80 kph zone. Both motorcycles were impounded for 7 days.
Note: The South Okanagan in the last two months has had 7 serious motorcycle crashes resulting in one death and six people with serious (life threatening) injuries. All but one of the motorcycle operators were middle aged men. Approximately 150 motorcycles were checked which included a safety discussion by accredited RCMP motorcycle instructors.
Stolen Vehicles Recovered – 2
Possession of Stolen Property – 3
Dangerous Driving – 2
Drive Without Due Care – 1
Flight from Police – 2
Recoved Stolen ID – 1
Obstruct Peace Officer – 2
Warrants Executed – 4
Personnation – 3
Vehicles Ordered for Immediate Inspection – 2
Vehicles Ordered to be Inspected within 30 days – 9
Vehicles with Defects – 242
Vehicles towed – Approximately 150
People Driving Without a Driver’s Licence – 34
Vehicles Without Insurance/Licence – 8
Driving Contrary to Driver’s Licence Restrictions – 27
Drive While Using an Electronic Device – 6
Speeding – 20
Commercial Vehicle Charges – 9
Motorcycle Charges – 5
Vehicles Checked – Estimated at approximately 7,000 vehicles
One male was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and taken to Penticton Hospital for psychiatric assessment.
There was a significant drop in Impaired Driving after the first day of the roadchecks.
South Okanagan Traffic Services would like to thank all of our partners including the tow companies that were kept verybusy over the weekend as well as the public for their patience and support. Together we can all make our roads safer for everyone.
Sgt. Harold Hallett
South Okanagan Traffic Services