POLICE – Holiday CounterAttack launched against impaired drivers

The holiday countdown is on and so is the Kamloops RCMP Detachment’s CounterAttack Campaign on impaired drivers.

Over the next few weeks, the presence of police check stops and proactive enforcement will be up, as the Kamloops RCMP Municipal Traffic Unit and ICBC partner together in an effort to help those on the roadway get home safely from their holiday celebrations.

“Removing impaired drivers from the roadway is always a priority, but at this time of year especially, when we know more people are out and attending celebrations, that extra enforcement is a good reminder to motorists to arrange a sober ride for getting home,” said Corp. Wayne Chung of the Kamloops RCMP Municipal Traffic Unit.

Arranging for a designated driver, taking a cab, public transportation, or utilizing holiday services such as Operation Red Nose, are great options available to prevent people from making a choice that puts everyone on the roadway at risk, said Corp. Dana Napier of the Kamloops RCMP Crime Prevention Unit.

“If you’re going to be at an event on the weekend, you really should be making plans well ahead of time for how you’re going to get home safely,” she added.

“You don’t want to wait until the last minute and risk convincing yourself that you’re okay to drive.”

On average in the Southern Interior, 25 people are killed and 360 injured in 600 impaired driving related crashes, according to ICBC statistics.

For more information on penalties associated with impaired driving, visit the RCMP website.

To report an impaired driver, call 911.

ICBC statistics

· On average, 64 people die every year in crashes involving impaired driving.

· Young drivers (aged 16 to 25) represent 12 per cent of all drivers in B.C., yet they account for 22 per cent of all impaired drivers in crashes.

· Approximately 23 per cent of car crash fatalities are related to impaired driving.

· More than half of all impaired-related crashes (54 per cent) occur on the weekend (Friday, Saturday or Sunday).

· Thirty-six per cent of all impaired-related crashes take place between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.

Injuries and crashes are police data, five-year average 2017 to 2021. Fatal victim counts are police data, five-year average 2017 to 2021. Impaired is defined to include alcohol, illicit drugs and medicines.

Crash data from 2020 and 2021 may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.