Drivers nabbed street racing in West Kelowna

Contributed

Three vehicles were impounded for at least 30 days after police observed them racing each other on Hwy. 97 near Ross Road early Monday morning.

On August 20 at 1:20 a.m., a member of the Central Okanagan Traffic Services was on patrol near Hwy. 97 and Ross Road when he was passed at a high rate of speed by four vehicles.

The police officer noted that the vehicles were travelling in excess of 140 km/hr in an 80 km/hr zone, that they were changing lanes with out signalling, and they were weaving between lanes and trying to pass one another. With the help of West Kelowna RCMP, three of the vehicles were stopped on Main Street in West Kelowna.

One of the drivers, a 26-year-old West Kelowna man, was found to be prohibited from driving. He refused a roadside breath test. He then fled on foot before being released. Police had already confirmed his identity, making it unnecessary to chase him. When police caught up with him later that day, he received a 90 day Driving Prohibition, various violation tickets. He faces a potential charge of Escape Lawful Custody.

In all, there were 360 days of driving prohibitions handed out roadside along with over $3,000 in fines (not including fines associated to the Immediate Roadside Prohibition program).

All three vehicles were impounded for 30 days under the Immediate Roadside Prohibition program, as it takes precedence over the seven day impound, which usually accompanies excessive speeding.

Under the circumstances, police will be reporting the incident to the Street Racing Section of the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles, requesting an extension on the driving prohibitions and vehicle impounds.

Impaired driving remains the leading cause of criminal death in Canada and, when combined with dangerous driving behaviors, like street racing, the potential for deadly consequences multiplies exponentially.

– Cnst Kris Clark, RCMP