Calls from the public pulled two apparently impaired drivers off the road within a 24-hour period.
A Sidney man with his young daughter in the car was stopped in Sidney on Tuesday (Jan. 31) evening.
Sidney North Saanich RCMP were called about a white car swerving on Resthaven Drive around 5 p.m. When they stopped the vehicle near Bowerbank Road, they found the driver had been drinking.
"The 33-year-old man from Sidney who was driving was taken in to custody, provided breath samples and was released for a court date later down the road," said Cpl. Chris Swain of Sidney North Saanich RCMP. "His six-year-old daughter who was sleeping in the back seat was picked up by other relatives."
The next morning around 7:30, RCMP were called about a vehicle in the ditch at the corner of Willingdon and West Saanich roads in North Saanich.
"The vehicle allegedly had been driving on the grass berm in front of the Coast Guard base," Swain said. Police found the male driver and a passenger walking away from the scene. He was taken in to custody and provided breath samples that were three times the legal limit.
"The 30-year-old man from Qualicum Beach was trying out his newly purchased four wheel drive Toyota 4Runner on the grass berm and caused significant damage," Swain said.
Police are recommending impaired driving and mischief charges against the driver who was released to attend court at a later date.
"It is obvious, especially in these two cases, that the ability to drive and make sound decisions is impaired by alcohol, putting us all at risk," Swain said.