The first offender of the new Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) program was arrested Friday.

A 47-year-old Pitt Meadows man had his driver's licence taken away, and he cannot drive for the next 90 days. In addition, his pickup truck was impounded for 30 days.

The new legislation, which came into effect at midnight on Friday, June 15, allows police to prohibit a suspected drunk driver from driving for 90 days.

At 8 p.m. police were conducting a road check on Abernethy Way at 224th Street.

A 2011 Dodge pickup truck was stopped, and the driver showed signs of being impaired, said Ridge Meadows RCMP Cpl. Alanna Dunlop.

"He complied with a breath demand, and the result on the approved screening device was a 'Fail'. He declined an opportunity to provide a second breath sample into a second instrument, as per the new legislation. But he declined this right," explained Dunlop.

With the return of the IRP program, police are hoping all drivers get the message not to drink and then drive.

"In this case the man will have to find alternate transportation for the next three months. Fines, towing, and vehicle impound fees are around the $4,000 mark," said Sgt. Dale Somerville.

MADD unveils Campaign 911

A road safety campaign that enlists the help of the public to identify drunk drivers has been launched in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows on Monday.

MADD Canada's Campaign 911 encourages citizens to call 911 to report suspected impaired drivers to police.

The two neighbouring communities are amongst the first to unveil the program.

Fourteen road signs that promote calling 911 are being installed in locations throughout the two communities.

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smclaren@mrtimes.com