Thirty drivers were taken off local roads in the past week for various impaired driving offenses in what Whistler RCMP Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair called "extensive impaired driving enforcement."
The majority of offenders were Whistler men in their 20s and 30s and LeClair has a simple message to the community after the flurry of drunk driving offences.
"The rules are firm," he said.
Of the 30 drivers taken off the road, 19 were given 90-day immediate roadside prohibitions for failing the roadside screening or refusing the screening device.
There were seven three-day roadside prohibitions for people who blew a warning. There were two 24-hour suspensions for people that blew over .05 but under .06, and there was one 12-hour suspension for a new driver who must have 0 BAC (Blood alcohol content).
There was also a separate impaired driving charge involving a 24-year-old man from Vancouver who was already on a 90-day license suspension when he was caught behind the wheel.
"Some were as a result of road checks and some were proactive patrols observing driving behaviour that was consistent with impaired driving," said LeClair.
"People can expect impaired driving enforcement to continue. It's not a good idea to drink and drive."
The police will be out in force over the holiday season.
LeClair added: "I think you can expect to see extensive patrols and road safety checks."
Man arrested for alleged breach of conditions after assault
A 38-year-old Whistler man appeared in court last week on two charges of breaching conditions relating to an earlier incident involving his ex-girlfriend.
On Nov. 16 a male was arrested for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend in Brio. He was released with a future court date on condition that he not have direct or indirect contact with his ex.
Just over one week later, on Nov. 24, the ex-girlfriend contacted police saying a friend had called her to arrange a meeting with the suspect.
Police went to the suspect's residence to arrest him for breaching his conditions and discovered that he had been consuming alcohol as well, another breach of his release.
He was arrested for breach of his release conditions, and held in cell before attending court.
Man arrested after officer notices faulty truck light
A broken rear taillight on a pick-up truck soon led to an arrest over the weekend after it caught the eye of a local police officer.
On Saturday, Nov. 28 in the late afternoon, an RCMP police officer pulled over the driver of a pick-up truck after noticing a rear light was out as the driver was coming out of the Marketplace parking lot.
After running the license plate through the system, the officer learned that the registered owner of the truck was bound by several conditions, including prohibition to drive on Saturdays and Sundays. He was allowed to drive for work purposes only.
The officer stopped the vehicle, and the driver, who is the registered owner, was arrested for breaching his conditions and transported to the Whistler detachment.
The 33-year-old Whistler man was released with conditions and his court date is set for Dec. 15 in Pemberton.
