Every year in B.C. an average of 68 people are killed by impaired driving related crashes, with 40 per cent of these deaths occurring during summer months.
During a press conference in Vancouver Thursday morning, police, ICBC, the provincial government and community partners launched the start of the summer CounterAttack campaign in B.C.
Motorists will see an increase in the number of police officers across the province who will be conducting road checks targeting drivers who are impaired by drugs or alcohol.
According to ICBC, drivers need to plan ahead for a safe ride home if their summer activities involve drugs or alcohol. If you are impaired, call a taxi, take the bus, or call a family member or friend.
“We all have someone who wants us to get home safe,” said Delta police Chief Neil Dubord and Chair of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee. “Children want their parents to get home safe. Parents want their teenagers to get home safe. Friends want their buddies to get home safe.”
Despite the messages from police and government, too many drivers still are not getting the message.
According to ICBC, last year police issued 9,100 90-day immediate roadside prohibitions and 520 criminal code convictions to impaired drivers in B.C.
While much progress has been made, impaired driving remains the leading cause of criminal death in Canada and in the top three contributing factors for fatal crashes in B.C.
“We continue to support enhanced enforcement programs like CounterAttack that identify and remove people from the wheel who put other road users in danger,” said Attorney General David Eby. “Drivers should know that tough, immediate sanctions for alcohol- and drug-affected driving remain in place.”
If you're hosting a celebration this summer and plan to serve alcohol, get an ICBC special event permit kit for free on icbc.com. It's also available when you apply for an event liquor permit on BCLiquorStores.com. The kits include items to encourage designated drivers to stay sober and for guests to find a safe ride home.
ICBC supports two impaired driving education campaigns every year and funds CounterAttack enhanced police enforcement with an increased total of $3.4 million towards enhanced traffic enforcement in 2019/20.
