On June 4, at approximately 2:42 p.m., officers with the West Shore RCMP Traffic Unit responded to a report of an erratic driver on Happy Valley Road in Langford.

A witness reported that a grey van was swerving in and out of its lane before eventually stopping near the 3400 block of Happy Valley Road. Officers located the driver, who was unconscious inside the vehicle. The driver later regained consciousness and displayed signs and symptoms of suspected drug impairment.

A drug-impaired driving investigation was initiated. The driver, a 39-year-old woman, was issued a 24-hour driving prohibition, and the van was impounded. The investigation remains ongoing pending the results of a Drug Influence Evaluation conducted by a Drug Recognition Expert.

Since the beginning of this year West Shore RCMP has removed more than 70 impaired drivers from local roadways, including 11 drivers impaired by drugs.

“Impaired driving is a preventable crime. What is especially concerning in this incident is the proximity to an elementary school and the time of day the driver was encountered,” said Cpl. Nathan Brown, who oversees the West Shore RCMP Traffic Unit. “This situation could have resulted in much more serious consequences for pedestrians, particularly children leaving school at the time. We thank the witness for contacting police immediately.”