By Sgt. Ed deJong

This past week, September 10 to Sept. 16, Columbia Valley RCMP responded to 68 calls for service. The following is a summary of some of the files our officers responded to.

Impaired driver stopped in Invermere area

On September 13 at approximately 8:30 p.m., police were conducting patrols in the Invermere area when a vehicle was observed driving at a high rate of speed and driving erratically. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was suspected of having alcohol in his system. The driver was required to provide breath samples into the roadside screening device which resulted in a fail. The driver was issued a 90-day driving prohibition and a 30 day seizure of the vehicle.

School zone and bus reminders for safety of youngsters

School zones are in effect from 8 a.m. through to 5 p.m. on school days. Please ensure you are slowing down to 30 km/h.  The school zone on 13^th Avenue is in effect from the four-way stop at 10th Street to just south of the stop sign on 20^th St. inclusive. The police have also had a few reports of drivers not stopping for school buses when the red lights are flashing. If you fail to stop, the first offence comes with a $368 fine and the fine increases with each successive violation up to a $8,528 fine.

Increase in bicycle use

The return of school has also seen an increase in bicycle use.  We ask parents discuss with their kids the requirement to wear a helmet when cycling in British Columbia.  Tickets can be issued with a fine of $29.  It is also illegal to have more persons on a bicycle than it is designed for (ie. doubling) which comes with an $84 fine.

– Sgt. Ed DeJong is Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment commander

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