Powell River RCMP will be stepping up enforcement for impaired drivers over the summer months.
According to Powell River RCMP constable Chris Bakker, this will include CounterAttack check stops as well as roving traffic enforcement.
“Impaired driving, whether by alcohol or drugs, continues to be a problem in Powell River,” said Bakker.
Since January 2022, Powell River RCMP have investigated 94 files involving impaired drivers. These investigations usually start as reports from community members observing an erratic driver, or from traffic stops by police, and can result in driving prohibitions, vehicle impounds, and criminal charges.
“Our priority is to ensure the community of Powell River is safe for everyone,” he added, “so we are asking drivers to plan ahead and take a taxi, have a designated driver, use transit or walk, to make sure everyone stays safe this summer.”
According to a media release, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and police are asking drivers to plan ahead to get home safely if their summer activities involve alcohol.
The release stated that every year on average, 65 people are killed in crashes involving impaired driving, with 40 per cent of those fatalities occurring during summer months alone.
Police began ramping up enforcement on the July 1 long weekend, looking for impaired drivers at CounterAttack road checks set up throughout the province.
Crashes involving impaired driving are preventable, according to the release.
“No matter where you are this summer, if you plan to drink, don’t drive; arrange a designated driver, call a taxi or rideshare, or take transit,” the release stated.
ICBC has led impaired driving education campaigns and funded CounterAttack enhanced police enforcement for more than 40 years.
According to ICBC statistics, each year on Canada Day, one person is killed and 190 injured in 640 crashes in the province.
