Seat swap fails to prevent impaired driving bans in View Royal: RCMP

Two people were handed driving bans after allegedly switching seats while driving impaired in View Royal over the weekend.

West Shore RCMP officers were called to the area of Admirals Road and Island Highway at approximately 2:45 a.m. on Saturday, August 8th, following reports of a black Toyota Corolla being driven erratically.

According to police, a witness saw the vehicle swerving out of its lane before striking a median on the Island Highway.

The witness then reportedly saw the male driver switch seats with a female passenger before the vehicle continued down the road.

Officers located the Corolla and conducted a traffic stop, identifying its occupants as a 26-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman.

Police said both showed signs of alcohol impairment. Because each had allegedly driven the vehicle shortly before the traffic stop, officers demanded breath samples from both.

The woman registered a “WARN” and was handed a three-day driving ban. The man registered a “FAIL” and received a 90-day driving ban.

The vehicle was also impounded for 30 days.

“Switching seats doesn’t erase what happened behind the wheel,” said Cpl. Nancy Saggar of West Shore RCMP.

“Impaired driving is dangerous regardless of who is sitting in the driver’s seat when police arrive. We’re grateful to the complainant for making that call and giving our officers the opportunity to intervene.”

According to West Shore RCMP, officers have taken 108 impaired drivers off the road so far in 2026, including 42 since the beginning of June.

Police are reminding residents to plan ahead and arrange a safe ride home when consuming alcohol or drugs.