Truck driver with lit Christmas candle in cab blew just under BAC limit

A truck driver with a lit Christmas candle in his cab blew just under the legal BAC limit during a routine traffic stop in British Columbia last week. 

The incident occurred on Thursday morning , December 4th in Fruitvale, British Columbia, Canada. 

According to Fraser Valley Today, the 52-year-old truck driver was initially pulled over for speeding, but when the officer approached the truck, he noticed a lit Christmas candle in the cab with the driver. An open alcohol container was also noted in the cab. 

“It’s possible that the driver is very fond of Christmas candles,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin, in a statement. “It’s also possible that he was trying to mask the odor of liquor.”

The truck driver submitted to a mandatory alcohol screening, which Canadian authorities say can happen to “any driver, any time,” and blew a “warn.” This means that the truck driver was under the criminal limit, but did have enough alcohol in his system to warrant some minor consequences. 

The truck driver was given a three-day immediate driving prohibition, a $230 ticket for an open liquor container, and a $138 ticket for just over 9 mph over the speed limit. The truck, owned by the company, was also impounded for three days.