B.C. driver leaves beer can on trunk of car, gets pulled over and loses licence

A driver in B.C. was pulled over by RCMP for suspected drinking and driving because they left a beer can on the trunk of their car, police say.

Mounties say a frontline police officer was on patrol on Feb. 9 when they saw an older Cavalier with a beer can on the trunk being driven down the road in Fort St. John, B.C., at around 10:30 p.m.

They had the driver pull over and perform a screening test, to which the driver received a “warn” test result, leading them to lose their licence for three days.

“Consumption of alcohol impairs our brain’s thought processes and reaction speeds while driving,” said Constable Chad Neustaeter, a spokesperson for the Fort St John RCMP.

“In this instance, the driver finished their last drink just prior to driving and forgot where they put their beer can, which inevitably led to them losing their licence for three days.”

The driver was handed a three-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) and had their vehicle towed to their home.

Officers say the man and his dog walked the rest of the way home.

RCMP is reminding drivers to not drink and drive, and to use other means to get home safely. Those include getting a taxi, a ride service, hitching a ride with a friend or family, or “even walking home if the weather is nice.”

“A taxi costs far less than losing your licence and getting your vehicle towed, potentially impounded and other more damaging consequences you may have to live with the rest of your life.”