Charges against taxi driver planned
Four drivers were arrested over the weekend for suspected impaired driving – including a Whitehorse cab driver with a passenger in the back seat.
Four drivers were arrested over the weekend for suspected impaired driving – including a Whitehorse cab driver with a passenger in the back seat.
Cpl. Shawn Pollard, the head of Yukon RCMP traffic services, said at noon today the man was arrested Saturday after police received complaints from the public.
He has not appeared in court yet to be officially charged. Pollard expects the man will be facing charges of dangerous driving, impaired driving and driving with a blood alcohol level above 0.08.
His name, as well as the name of the cab company he was driving for, are not being released.
Meanwhile, police have begun their holiday-intensive checkstop program.
Officers braved the frigid temperatures all weekend to check on drivers.
Pollard said his department conducts checkstops year-round but is particularly focused on the task this month.
"If you drink and drive, you will get caught,” he said.
The police are also rewarding designated drivers.
Officers have packages to hand out valued at between $100 and $125 — to drivers doing their part to keep the roads safe.
That program is being done in conjunction with the local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
The December 2011 checkstops saw 22 people charged with impaired driving around the territory.
Comments (15)
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June Jackson on Dec 5, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Hey "Really".. thanks for the comment..your story will do more to deter a person from getting behind the wheel than my comments ever will, and that's the point right?
Why don't you talk to the schools and arrange to speak to the assemblies? Young people often say..but I only had one beer..If your story saves just one life.. ..
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NikkiMe on Dec 5, 2012 at 3:37 pm
really...still looking for a job after a year? Superstore is always hiring. Sure it's not the best pay, and it's not so glamourous, but work is work. Go get yours.
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stan rogers on Dec 5, 2012 at 11:14 am
I think its appropriate to name the firm the driver worked for. Who cares if there has been no trial, its just part of the story.
Cannot wait to see his defense.
One recently used was something like "I was too drunk to know what I was doing"
I hope the RCMP step up the check stops between now and early January.
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Anthony on Dec 5, 2012 at 9:20 am
@really
It wasn't the 'half beers' fault.
You chose to drink to the level of impairment. End of story. Just be glad you didn't hurt or kill anyone.
Here's a tip: If you're gonna drive, don't drink. Period.
Works for me.
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Jess on Dec 5, 2012 at 8:11 am
@really - Cry us a river...Are you actually blaming the RCMP that you got caught driving while under the influence and were punished as you should have been? You blew over and they impounded your truck. That's being convicted... No need for a hearing when they can prove immediately you are intoxicated. Hope you learned your lesson. Blame yourself not the system.
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Arn Anderson on Dec 5, 2012 at 5:26 am
There is no sore spots or feelings when it comes to the law, unless its sentencing time.
Facts are facts, when it comes to DUI's it's guilty and punished until proven innocent. The RCMP have to collect the evidence, the crown presents the evidence in a court of law. Apparently the court of law is by the side of the road and no need for any of those "silly" court proceedings. Get it?
When a drunk driver hits a person you know, you blame the booze, when a sober driver hits the same person, who do you blame? More accidents and deaths are due to sober drivers, crack down on them.
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JaymanC on Dec 5, 2012 at 1:17 am
Seems like these people touched a sore spot of yours Arn Anderson. To crack down on sober drivers would be the stupidest thing I've ever heard. I don't want more drunk drivers here in Yukon.
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really on Dec 4, 2012 at 3:56 pm
June you gotta get your facts straight. I was charged with DUI Dec. last year. They figured had around half a beer too much. I really thought that with the time frame I was at my friends place that I was fine but I cut it too close. My fault. But I wasn't sitting in a bar for six hours and decided that my truck wasn't staying downtown. The police said they wish they could give me a 24 hour and the judge said the same. By the way I don't drive cab. Fact is they did impound my car right away, no lawyer, and the one year suspension that I got isn't going to end til April. Almost 16 months.
So the fact that you say they give you a slap on the hand isn't true. By the way I was stopped in a check stop and not stopped swerving or being reckless. Even though I got the DUI I accept it. I did not think for a second that I was over. I am against drinking and driving and I made a mistake. Sorry. But things have to change because the RCMP impounded my car for 30 days without a hearing and took my license for three months before the court ordered penalty. Like I said I'm not saying DUI is right, but people have the right to be proven guilty before the RCMP get to play god.
Back to the point, I made a mistake and accept it, and it's not just a slap on the hand. I lost my job and I'm still looking after a year, all because of half a beer.
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Johnny on Dec 4, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Innocent until proven guilty I agree. However typically if you are caught for impaired driving that means you're due to either test performed at the time. Or did you think officers just ask people if they are under the influence and if they say no - the officer will say have a nice day?
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Mark on Dec 4, 2012 at 9:06 am
arn, what a stupid comment. *Shakes head*
Release the cabbies name and the company name, make sure he/she never drives cab ever again, I still don't get why people don't call the cab after a few drinks, dumbness or lazyness I guess
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Arn Anderson on Dec 4, 2012 at 7:11 am
Its called innocent until proven guilty people, sheesh. Commentators on here are quick to judge and convict. I'm glad in Alberta they are challenging these draconian impaired driving laws. Busted for drinking and driving, punished on the spot by having your license suspended? Wow, letter of the law states you have to be convicted to be punished. See where this is going people? What next, litter and have your house and property seized? Ha! Be careful for what you wish for...
I wish officers crack down on stupid sober drivers with the same intensity, after all they cause more accidents and fatalities than drunk drivers.
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Sad on Dec 3, 2012 at 10:37 pm
Not naming the company is putting the public at further risk. People have a right to know. Why are you protecting these scum? Would we of know if the guy killed someone? The driver who drove drunk with a passenger should be charged, period. I'm glad I never take a cab. Sure a lot of honorable folk driving cabs these days.
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June Jackson on Dec 3, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Perhaps people still think they can drink and drive because the courts are so lenient on them thinking..poor guy..he only had X number of drinks and just trying to get home. I'll just give him a fine and a warning..
There are laws in place that seize the vehicle, fines, jail, license revoking.. how often does that happen. Most times, even if the license is revoked they can have it back to go to work, take the kids to school, go get groceries..big whoop..
People drink and drive because they know not all that much is going to happen if they get caught. Impose the max the first time out..3rd time out keep them in jail forever..they are potential killers.
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anonymous on Dec 3, 2012 at 11:25 am
How about doing your part and releasing which cab company?
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Johnny on Dec 3, 2012 at 8:01 am
I don't see why the RCMP wouldn't release the cab company. If I knew which company it was I wouldn't put myself or others I know at risk.