Police across BC took more than 220 impaired drivers off the road.
BC Highway Patrol and BC RCMP recently took part in Light Up the Province, a campaign all about getting impaired drivers off the road on highways across BC, including in the Kootenays.
This year, 43,713 vehicles were checked, with 222 immediate roadside prohibitions, 279 violation tickets issued, and more than 400 officers working over 122 check stops.
Acting Officer in Charge of BC Highway Patrol Superintendent Mike Coyle says while they know it feels like an inconvenience, this campaign is effective.
“Plenty of people still think they can get away with driving while impaired by alcohol and other drugs,” said Coyle.
“It’s an unacceptable attitude and the reason why Light Up the Province is necessary.”
Police say the campaign is their contribution to National Impaired Driving Day, which launches their December Winter Impaired Driving campaign.
Across the Kootenays
Officers conducted enforcement for over 8 hrs at 10 different check stop locations from Rock Creek all the way to Nelson.
Over 250 people were given the mandatory breath demand, several people showed up with expired drivers licences, some violation tickets were issued and 9 impaired drivers were removed from the road.
Trail RCMP remove impaired driver this holiday season
Trail RCMP removed an impaired driver just after midnight on December 7.
The officer was patrolling in a marked police vehicle when he discovered that a 20-year-old Rossland man was driving his vehicle without valid insurance on Rossland Avenue, in Trail.
The officer detained the man and his vehicle roadside.
The officer believed that the man’s ability to operate a motor vehicle was allegedly impaired by alcohol. A demand was read to the man who provided a breath sample roadside that resulted in a ‘fail’.
The 20-year-old Rossland man was issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) under Section 215 of the BC Motor Vehicle Act. His vehicle was impounded for up to 30 days.
“Please arrange for a safe ride home if you plan to drink alcohol or use drugs. We want everyone get home to their families this holiday season.” says Sgt. Mike Wicentowich.
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