Don’t drink and drive: Burnaby RCMP releases dash-cam video from drunk driver to illustrate the dangers of impaired driving

With the holiday season approaching, Burnaby RCMP has released dash-cam video of a recently-convicted impaired driver to illustrate the dangers of drinking and driving.

The video was taken on January 8, 2021 and was captured by the impaired driver’s own dash cam as he travelled from Richmond, to Vancouver, and into Burnaby. The video was later seized by police after a search warrant was executed.

The video shows the driver crossing the centre line towards oncoming traffic multiple times, narrowly missing other vehicles. The video also shows the driver blowing through a stop sign and driving through a red light.

In one portion of the video, pedestrians are walking through an intersection, not far from the vehicle.

Police were first alerted to the situation around 11:57 p.m. when several callers reported that a Cadillac Escalade had struck parked vehicles and a fire hydrant near Royal Oak Avenue and Marine Drive, sending water onto the street and into nearby homes.

Despite the impact of the crashes, the driver made the decision to keep driving. The dash cam video shows the driver continuing along the road in an oncoming lane before crashing into a stop sign.

The driver finally came to a stop near Gilley Avenue and Marine Drive around 12:03 a.m. as Burnaby RCMP officers arrived. By then, the SUV was badly damaged and was missing a tire.

The driver refused to provide a breath sample and did not cooperate with police.

In August, 2021, a 62-year old Burnaby resident was convicted of impaired driving. He received a one-year driving prohibition and a $1,000 fine.

The actions of the driver caused an estimated $28,000 in flooding damage to nearby homes, and more than $6,600 in damage to City of Burnaby property.

It is shocking that nobody was killed or injured, including the driver, said Cpl. Mike Kalanj with the Burnaby RCMP. This driver made a decision to put himself and others at risk when he got behind the wheel that night and drove through three cities. Burnaby RCMP is sharing the video in hopes it may deter others from drinking and driving.

We urge everyone to watch this video. This is what impaired driving looks like, Kalanj added. There is no excuse for being impaired behind the wheel.

Holiday CounterAttack

The holiday season brings with it the annual December CounterAttack campaign. Police are urging drivers to make the responsible decision to plan a safe ride home.

When you decide to drive impaired, you are not only risking your life, but the lives of others on the road and those around the road.

On average, 16 people are killed and 830 injured in 1,500 impaired driving related crashed in the Lower Mainland alone, every year.

Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs is a criminal offence and can severely alter your life and the lives of others. Some of the results of impaired driving may include:

Criminal charges

Injuries

Death of others

Your death

Police have planned CounterAttack roadchecks all across this province over the coming weeks.

If you plan on attending a gathering where alcohol is involved, please plan for a safe ride home, said Cpl. Mike Kalanj with the Burnaby RCMP. If you choose to drive impaired, you are taking the risk of coming across a CounterAttack roadcheck and you will be taken off the road.