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Honk if you love traffic stops

NANAIMO – Motorists honk approval as cops nail impaired driver.

Motorists honked their approval Tuesday morning when Nanaimo Mounties stopped a driver speeding and driving recklessly in his pickup truck.

A Mountie pulled the southbound Ford F350 over just before 8 a.m. near the intersection of Needham and Nicol streets after the officer clocked it doing 98 km/h in a 50 km/h zone and witnessed the truck swerving from side to side, almost crossing the centre line.

The 52-year-old male driver, from the Victoria region, showed signs of alcohol impairment and failed two breath samples.

The truck was towed and impounded for 30 days and the driver was handed a 90-day driving prohibition and ticketed for excessive speed.

A taxi was called for the driver and his male passenger.

“Our officers often see and hear passing motorist voice their opinions over a vehicle stop," said Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. "In this particular case, it was apparent the public was extremely pleased the driver was stopped before he could cause an accident.”