BURST
The RCMP highway patrol issued hundreds of tickets for impaired driving and other infractions last month after setting up road checks heading into the annual Shambhala Music Festival in Salmo
From July 21 to 25, highway patrol officers conducted road checks along mountain passes heading into Salmo, including the Kootenay Pass, the Bombi Pass and Paulson Pass.
During the multi-day road check, police issued more than 800 tickets, towed dozens of vehicles and issued dozens of orders to fix vehicle defects. Another 83 people also face drug-impaired charges.
The tickets issued included 360 speeding tickets, nine tickets for excessive speeding, 11 tickets for no insurance, and 11 notices and orders for unsafe or mechanically unsound vehicles.
After the event wrapped up, highway patrol officers partnered with Nelson police to continue road checks as people left the festival.
As a result, 60 cars were towed for mechanical safety or driver impairment, 59 people were handed 24-hour driving suspensions for impaired driving, and 24 individuals were investigated for drug use.
“The temperatures were high and a little uncomfortable for officers working long days in full uniform,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin. “But it’s clear this enforcement was necessary. Police officers were particularly concerned about getting impaired drivers and unsafe vehicles off the road, and they were right to be concerned.”
The festival was started in 1998 with just 500 attendees and has since grown into a massively popular event, drawing thousands of electronic artists and fans to the banks of the Salmo River.