British Columbia RCMP said they removed more than 600 impaired drivers from the roads this summer.
B.C. Highway Patrol said impaired driving was a particular problem in north and central B.C., considering the smaller populations in those areas.
It said there were 146 impaired driving incidents in northern B.C. between June 15 and Aug. 31, including driving prohibitions, criminal charges, and drug prohibitions.
RCMP in the Kootenays saw 88 such incidents.
“Drug-impaired driving is a particular issue in the Kootenays, though it’s an increasing problem everywhere with serious and fatal collisions,” said Superintendent Mike Coyle, Operations Officer of BC Highway Patrol, in a statement. “We need people, especially in rural areas of BC, to be more serious about staying sober.”
RCMP said there were 150 incidents in the Metro Vancouver, Sea to Sky and Fraser Valley area, 131 on Vancouver Island, and 111 in Central B.C.
“This year’s Summer Impaired Driving Campaign is a graphic illustration of why we all need to do better staying sober while driving,” said Coyle. “Impaired driving is the leading cause of criminal death in BC. It’s simply unacceptable to think that it’s OK to drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs.”
Mandatory Alcohol Screening allows police to to demand an immediate breathe sample of drivers who are lawfully stopped. Refusing the breath demand is a criminal offence that leads to penalties similar to impaired driving charges.
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