Such was the case Friday, Aug. 2, 2013 at 9:30 p.m. when police received a call from several citizens living at a condo complex in the Glastonbury neighbourhood in west Edmonton. Several callers observed a bobcat operator driving around the apartment complex. At one point they saw the bobcat allegedly push a small cube van onto its side sending fuel spilling from the vehicle.
When police arrived on scene the suspect had been spotted by residents walking north of the complex into a field that separated the property from Whitemud Drive. With the assistance of Air-1 the suspect was eventually located in some bushes south of Whitemud Drive.
The 45-year-old man was charged with impaired driving, driving over 80 mg % and disqualified driving.
From August 1 to August 31, 2013 the EPS has received 816 calls from citizens reporting suspected impaired drivers. Of that total there were 59 impaired subjects charged and 19 licence suspensions.
Since inception there have been 5,647 calls into Curb the Danger, 641 letters were issued, 521 impaired subjects charged, 1884 intercepts, and 129 licence suspensions.
The EPS provides updated Curb the Danger numbers each month.
Signs that could indicate an impaired driver:
- unreasonably fast or slow speeds or inconsistent speeds;
- frequent lane changes or swerving when passing;
- ignoring traffic signals and signs;
- approaching traffic signals and signs unreasonably fast or slow;
- sitting at stop signs for long periods of time;
- jerky starts and stops;
- driving too close to the curbs and shoulders; hugging the edge of the road or straddling the center line;
- driving at night without lights; or,
- driving with the windows down in cold weather.
If you see a suspected impaired driver:
- Call 9-1-1 and report the incident immediately. Under Bill 16 of the Distracted Driving legislation, drivers are permitted to use hand-held devices to contact 9-1-1 emergency services.
- Take note of the location;
- Report the license plate number as well as the vehicle description; and
- If possible, keep the vehicle in sight, but do not attempt to chase the vehicle or break the law in order to stay close.
If a patrol car is not able to intercept the vehicle, the EPS may send a letter to the registered owner telling them that their vehicle was spotted being operated erratically.