A 52-year-old Coquitlam man was given a 90-day driving prohibition after he was pulled over driving the wrong way in traffic in Port Moody Sunday evening. Port Moody police said the man’s two children, aged six and eight, were also in the car at the time.
Photograph by: NOW , file
PORT MOODY— The Port Moody Police Department is used to pulling over its fair share of suspected drunk drivers, but a stop Sunday proved disappointing for even seasoned officers.
Police first received a report of a possible drunk driver travelling the wrong way in traffic near Rocky Point Park during the supper hour.
Officers managed to pull the car over in the 2700 block of St. Johns Street.
That’s when police discovered the driver had his two children, ages six and eight, in the car.
The children were also not seated in appropriate booster seats for their age, police said.
The 52-year-old Coquitlam man allegedly failed two roadside tests and the family was hauled back to the station.
Port Moody police spokesman Luke van Winkel called the situation “incredibly dangerous,” especially given the time of day, adding it was fortunate no one was hurt.
“Here you have someone who is being reckless with the lives of other people, not only the people on the road with him, but his children in the back seat,” he told The NOW.
“As a parent, you’re supposed to protect your children, you’re not supposed to put them in danger.”
The department sent out this tweet Sunday night following the incident: “Someone called in a poss impaired driver today. Car found, driver intox. Two small children in the car,one w/o booster seat. #yousavedalife.”
The man’s wife was called to get the family, while the department notified the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
Van Winkel said officers were more disappointed than surprised by the incident, noting police on occasion deal with impaired drivers with kids.
“It is disturbing when you find this gentleman’s wife can come pick him up, when those are thoughts you should be making beforehand,” he said.
“You shouldn’t be drinking if you’ve got your kids in the car, period.”
The man was issued a 90-day driving prohibition, while his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
Police are also encouraging people to call 911 if they see an aggressive or possible impaired driver on the roads.
In August, the cities of Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam teamed up with RCMP and Mothers Against Drunk Driving to launch a campaign to remind the public it's OK to report a drunk driver by calling 911.
