Impaired driver claimed he ‘had to test the drinks’ as bartender, North Vancouver RCMP say

RCMP Generic pic

An impaired driver who was spotted speeding and swerving through North Vancouver last week served up a questionable excuse after being pulled over, according to Mounties.

North Vancouver RCMP said the incident began when a patrol officer saw someone in a Honda Civic using the wrong side of the road near Marine Drive and Garden Avenue around 1:20 a.m. Friday.

The officer allegedly saw the driver running red lights, swerving across lanes and reaching speeds of up to 120 km/h before finally managing to stop the Civic.

“This was a cascade of escalating recklessness,” said Cpl. Mansoor Sahak, in a statement.

“The driver’s alleged excuse for drinking and driving was that he is a bartender and had to test the drinks, which is not only irresponsible but incredibly dangerous.”

The driver was arrested after refusing a breathalyzer, and handed more than $1,000 in fines for excessive speeding and driving without consideration, authorities said.

His vehicle was also impounded.

“It is bad enough that someone would drink and drive, but it is that much worse when they put the lives of other people at risk,” Sahak said.