Men allegedly switch seats when pulled over, both get drunk driving charges

Well, the ol' switcheroo resulted in drunk-driving charges for two. 

Edson RCMP have charged two men with impaired operation of a motor vehicle after they reportedly switched seats when pulled over  — while both were allegedly drunk.

RCMP Const. Alex Ayres said the car was pulled over Oct. 8th by the Edson Integrated Traffic Unit — which includes both Alberta Sheriffs and RCMP officers — because of a simple traffic violation.

The ITU officer approached the vehicle and spoke to the person in the driver's seat.

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Believing the man was drunk, the officer demanded a roadside breath sample. The man failed the breath test and was arrested.

The officer then got a hunch that something was up.

"What initially led to the suspicion was that the vehicle was actually revving while it was parked at the traffic stop," said Ayers. 

"That led the officer into a second investigation in regards [to] the person in the passenger seat."

The officer's investigation led him to believe the man in the passenger seat was the actual driver of the vehicle.

"As a result, both of them were taken back to the detachment where they provided examples of their breath which are alleged to be over the legal limit," said Ayers.

What initially led to the suspicion was that the vehicle was actually revving while it was parked at the traffic stop.- Alex Ayres

Both men face numerous charges.

The first man is expected to be charged with impaired care or control of a motor vehicle, impaired care or control of a motor vehicle will over the legal blood-alcohol limit, and obstructing a peace officer.

The second man will be charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle, impaired operation of a motor vehicle while over the legal blood-alcohol limit, and obstructing a peace officer. He will also face a charge of driving while unauthorized.

Ayers said he has seen people switching seats before, but never when the vehicle was already pulled over, leading to both individuals being charged with impaired driving offences.

"Obviously it shows a little bit of a lack of forethought on these two individuals' part, where neither of them appeared to be in any condition to operate a motor vehicle," said Ayers.

The men are expected to appear in Edson provincial court Nov. 15.