Nanaimo RCMP conducted a comprehensive blitz focusing on dangerous drivers and defective vehicles on Sunday, Sept. 14 (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

traffic enforcement

Several vehicles impounded during Nanaimo enforcement blitz

Sep 16, 2025 | 12:14 PM

NANAIMO — Eyes from above relayed real-time intelligence to numerous ground resources assigned to target unsafe drivers in the Harbour City.

Culminating from mounting public complaints, Nanaimo RCMP Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien said enforcement throughout Sunday, Sept. 14 was aided by a police helicopter, which focused on street racers, stunters, excessive speeders and defective vehicles.

“We have heard from the public for many, many months now — they’re not happy that these bikes are driving in a dangerous manner, the cars are driving in a dangerous manner,” O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Three vehicles and four dirt bikes were impounded, which included defective vehicles, while dozens of other vehicles were also checked, O’Brien said.

Enforcement focused on the Duke Point area, Extension, College Heights and Nanaimo Parkway.

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Known as Air 8, the RCMP chopper was airborne between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Sunday.

In a specific case of alleged egregious driving, a dirt biker was spotted by Air 8 and tracked riding with excessive speeds.

He fled from police and rode on sidewalks in the College Heights area, endangering the public and himself, O’Brien noted.

The unlicensed rider was eventually stuck in congested traffic at an intersection on the Nanaimo Parkway where he was apprehended by police.

A long list of charges are pending against the Lantzville youth, O’Brien said.

“It turns out the motorcyclist was 16-years-old age, he was taken back to his parents’ house, the bike has been impounded for seven days and he’s received thousands of dollars in fines.”

Duke Point has been a problematic area for years, O’Brien said, noting the rural area is a favoured racing area.

He said their detachment is aware of dangerous driving in the area, which has increased in recent months following a targeted enforcement campaign last year.

“The noise levels actually impacts residents on Gabriola Island and they let us know that they’re not happy — they’re ripping up the road and driving cars in a dangerous manner.”

Complicating matters is the fact spotters have long alerted racers in Duke Point that the police are on their way, O’Brien said.

Most drivers street racers and those responsible for illegal dirt biking in the Nanaimo region are males between the ages of about 16 and 25-years-old, O’Brien noted.

Acknowledging their traffic section is depleted, O’Brien said continuous efforts will be made to align resources to target dangerous drivers and defective vehicles.

Ten officers from various departments within the Nanaimo RCMP detachment converged for Sunday’s enforcement effort.

“We have heard from the public for many, many months now — they’re not happy that these bikes are driving in a dangerous manner, the cars are driving in a dangerous manner,” O’Brien said.

This bike was seized by Nanaimo RCMP during targeting enforcement on Sunday, Sept. 14 (Nanaimo RCMP)

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