WESTLOCK – A woman police say they’ve caught drunk behind the wheel of a vehicle twice in less than a month, now faces charges of driving while suspended and without insurance, in addition to Alberta’s Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS), which includes two, 90-day driver’s licence suspensions, a pair of 30-day vehicle seizures, and $3,000 in fines.
Alberta RCMP Traffic-Westlock Sgt. Leigh Drinkwater said that at around 11 p.m. April 13, an officer stopped a vehicle towing a trailer for an equipment violation within the Town of Westlock.
As the officer activated the vehicle’s emergency lights signaling the driver to pull over, the woman drove over a curb — during the stop, police attempted Mandatory Alcohol Screening with the driver, however, she did not provide a breath sample despite being provided “many opportunities to do so.”
Police checks on the vehicle showed that it was not registered or insured, while they found out the woman was suspended from driving having been sanctioned on March 17 — that matter involved the Westlock RCMP being called to investigate a single-vehicle collision on Highway 18 near Range Road 271 at approximately 5:30 a.m.
During that investigation police issued an approved screening device demand, and the result revealed that the woman’s blood alcohol level was over the legal limit — subsequently she was issued the Immediate Roadside Sanctions which included a 90-day licence suspension, $1,000 fine and 30-day vehicle seizure. As a result of the April 13 investigation, Drinkwater said she now faces a second 30-day vehicle seizure, plus a $2,000 fine, while a subsequent licence suspension “is to follow.”
The woman, who’ll make her first appearance in Westlock Court of Justice July 5, has been charged under 94.1(1) of Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act, drive while suspended or disqualified under Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS), a charge which is separate to the penalties of the IRS.
Drinkwater notes a conviction under 94.1(1) carries a minimum of a $5,000 fine, or jail time, and the person cannot apply for a driver’s licence in Alberta for a minimum of six months after being found guilty.
As well, anyone sanctioned under IRS and wants to reapply for their licence faces mandatory courses and the installation of an interlock device in their vehicle for periods ranging from one to 10 years.
