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Student driver in Coquitlam has car impounded during lesson

A student driver in Port Coquitlam learned the hard way about the consequences of consuming alcohol before getting behind the wheel.
The Coquitlam RCMP pulled over a student driver in the middle of a lesson for running a stop sign. The driver subsequently failed a sobriety test and the vehicle was impounded.

A student driver in Port Coquitlam learned the hard way about the consequences of consuming alcohol before getting behind the wheel.

RCMP traffic enforcement initially pulled over a vehicle when a driver ran a stop sign but found the 44-year-old driver, who was in the middle of a lesson, was unable to pass a sobriety test.

His licence was suspended for 90 days and the vehicle, which had a large "student driver" sign emblazoned across the back, was impounded.

Now, police say the driving school and instructor could face a review from ICBC.

"It's not often we tow a car with two steering wheels, but impaired is impaired. Everyone must be safe on the road," said Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Michael McLaughlin.

He added both instructors and students need to do their part for safety. Students should research the companies they choose and should only get behind the wheel if they are sober and well rested, McLaughlin said, while driving instructors need to ensure their students are ready and sober before getting on the road.

"This may be a funny story but we're serious about keeping our community safe," he said. "It also shows why traffic stops are one of the most unpredictable things you can do as a police officer. Neither the driving student nor the instructor did their due diligence to be safe on the road. Our officer made sure to deliver immediate consequences."