Police across the province kicked off their annual counterattack program recently. Together with Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and the provincial government, Powell River RCMP are urging drivers to plan ahead and make smart decisions to get home safely this holiday season.
“We want people to enjoy the holiday celebrations, but we also want to ensure their safety and the safety of everyone else on the road,” said Constable Chris Bakker of the local RCMP detachment.
Police have set up counterattack roadblocks on the streets of Powell River to increase awareness of and help reduce impaired driving crashes during the holidays.
ICBC reports that on average 133 lives are lost and 3,400 people are injured in approximately 5,600 impaired-related crashes across BC each year.
“Impaired driving is one of the most preventable offences that occurs on the roads of British Columbia,” said Bakker. “All it takes is a bit of planning ahead. Take a taxi, bus, have a designated driver, or park your car and walk. Do whatever you need to do to ensure that you get home safely if you’ve been drinking.”
This year is the 35th anniversary of the counterattack program. It came into effect in 1977 and the year before it was started there were 300 fatalities from impaired-related crashes in BC. Police-reported incidents show there were 71 impaired driving fatalities—a 45 per cent decrease—from October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011, compared to 128 annually on average the previous five years.
The number of Powell River drivers who were charged with impaired driving in December has stayed relatively the same over the past four years. In 2008, police charged 12 drivers, while in 2009, 17 people were charged. In 2010, police charged 11 people and last December 10 people were charged.
For more information on impaired driving, readers can visit ICBC online or contact the Powell River RCMP at 604.485.6255.
