Police Crack Down On Drinking & Driving

CounterAttack roadchecks on now

As the summer BBQ season and Canada Day celebrations kick off, the Province, ICBC and police are reminding motorists that drinking and driving can be a deadly combination. The month-long, province-wide campaign includes enhanced CounterAttack roadchecks, advertising and partnerships with sports facilities, municipalities and businesses.

On Canada Day alone, there are approximately 20 alcohol-related crashes in B.C. resulting in 20 injuries and one death.*

"I've seen the tremendous damage and pain caused by drinking and driving," said Solicitor General Kash Heed. "I particularly want young people to know that they are risking their own lives and the lives of their friends if they make the wrong choice and get behind the wheel when they've been drinking."

In an average year in B.C., 5,100 alcohol-related collisions cause 3,180 injuries and 116 deaths. Young men continue to be vastly over-represented in alcohol-related crashes, accounting for 81 per cent of all impaired drivers. Thirty-five per cent of all impaired drivers in alcohol-related collisions are between the ages of 16 and 25.**

"We have a tough challenge because many people, and particularly young men, aren't being honest with themselves about their drinking and driving," cautioned Nicolas Jimenez, ICBC's road safety director. "The reality is it doesn't take much to impair your judgment, hand-eye coordination and reaction time. So if you're drinking at a summer BBQ or at a party, it's easy to make smart choices: leave your car at home, carpool and designate a driver in advance, call a cab, take transit or ask a sober friend to drive you home."

During July, police across the province will be out in full force checking for drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs. Impaired drivers stopped at roadchecks or elsewhere face a range of penalties from 24-hour prohibitions and vehicle impoundments, 90-day administrative driving prohibitions to criminal charges, fines and jail time. In addition, drivers who have one or more driving-related criminal convictions or two or more roadside suspensions on or after January 1, 2008, will pay ICBC a Driver Risk Premium, separate from insurance premiums.

On top of fines, all convicted drinking drivers who receive multiple driving prohibitions are required to have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicles, which prevents them from starting or continuing to drive if they've been drinking. Program evaluations have found up to a 90 per cent reduction in repeat drinking and driving when the device is installed.

"While we're out to enforce the law, we're also hoping to educate drivers. One of the hardest parts of our job is knocking on a door to deliver tragic news to a victim's family," added Superintendent Norm Gaumont, RCMP "E" division traffic services. "Crashes involving alcohol and drugs are completely preventable, and the impact on families and communities is profound."
Drivers are reminded of these tips:

• Make the smart choice: choose a designated driver before going out, keep money aside for a bus or taxi, or call a friend.
• Refuse to ride with drivers who may be impaired. Ask to be let out of the car if necessary.
• Take a stand and don't let people drive if they are or have been drinking alcohol.
• If you see an impaired driver, report it to your local police detachment—call 911.
• Talk about the issue often with your family and friends.
• Learn about the effects of alcohol. It affects your judgment, reaction time, coordination, your ability to steer, track moving objects, brake and control your speed and lane position.
• No amount of coffee, cold showers or fresh air will make you sober. The only cure is time. It takes about six hours for your body to eliminate all the alcohol from a blood/alcohol reading of .08 (the legal limit).

Visit www.icbc.com for more information and tips.