BC Highway Patrol is urging drivers to make sober choices before getting behind the wheel as the B.C. Day long weekend approaches, saying recent enforcement efforts in northeastern B.C. show too many motorists are still putting lives at risk.
During a targeted enforcement campaign between July 20 and 26, officers in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, working alongside local RCMP detachments, issued several immediate roadside prohibitions for impaired driving, laid a Criminal Code impaired driving charge, impounded vehicles for excessive speeding and arrested a prohibited driver.
Sergeant. Michael McLaughlin said the results are concerning, especially considering they came from a relatively small group of officers.
“It stands out that even with a small team of police officers… they found people who were driving problematically, driving dangerously,” McLaughlin said.
“This is a bad trend as we approach the peak days of summer. We really need people to understand that impaired driving is the biggest problem at this time of year.”
Among the enforcement actions were multiple 90-day immediate roadside prohibitions, which are issued when a driver registers a “fail” on an approved screening device.
McLaughlin said those prohibitions reflect a serious level of impairment.
“When you’re getting an immediate roadside prohibition of 90 days, that means you have had way too much,” he said.
“That’s a serious risk to you and everybody else on the road. Same thing with a Criminal Code impaired driving charge that’s an even higher level of accountability and risk.”
He said driving is a task that demands a person’s full attention and cannot be done safely while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
“Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle is a complex task. You need to be sober, that’s why it’s illegal to drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol.”
With more people expected to travel over the long weekend, McLaughlin is encouraging motorists to think about safety before they leave home by planning a sober ride and allowing extra time to reach their destination.
“The first reason you should drive safely and drive sober is selfish: protect yourself, protect your loved ones,” McLaughlin noted.
“You’re sharing that highway with everybody else. And if you don’t choose to behave properly and safely on the road, BC Highway Patrol is going to be out there, and we bring serious consequences for people who drive impaired.”
He also warned drivers not to begin celebrating until they’ve arrived safely.
“Do not start the party too early,” McLaughlin urged.
“You cannot be safely behind the wheel of a vehicle while you’re impaired by drugs or alcohol… Make sure that any drugs or alcohol you consume are nowhere near your driving.”
Beyond the safety risks, McLaughlin said impaired driving can quickly become an expensive and disruptive mistake.
“We want people to be safe for selfish reasons… You’re not going to deal with the inconvenience and real expense of police pulling you over,” he said.
“But if that’s not enough, we’re here to do enforcement.”
BC Highway Patrol said officers will be conducting proactive enforcement throughout the long weekend as part of efforts to keep impaired drivers off the province’s roads. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, arrange a sober ride and help ensure everyone gets home safely.
