Boosting efforts to tackle impaired driving in the Peace

For the remainder of the summer impaired driving campaign, our readers can expect BC Highway Patrol to boost its efforts to tackle impaired driving, especially at major events attempting to lower the number of fatalities on BC highways.

Photo from the BC Highway Patrol media release

Since the start of the summer impaired driving campaign, BC Highway Patrol has been setting up numerous roadblocks to catch impaired drivers. Officers will maintain their strict zero-tolerance approach, particularly at major events and music festivals, such as:

·         Various activities in Dawson Creek, Smithers, and Redstone throughout August

·         The Salmo Music Festival this weekend

·         Events in Anahim Lake and Quesnel in late July

·         The Vanderhoof festivities over the BC Day long weekend

·         Lake Cowichan on the long weekends

“In order to reduce traffic fatalities, BC Highway Patrol is asking you to report high-risk drivers to your local police,” says Corporal Melissa Jongema, BC Highway Patrol Media Relations Officer. “Examples of high-risk driving include impaired drivers, fatigued drivers, vehicles passing on a double solid line and/or around curves, vehicles failing to maintain their lane, excessive speeders, and drivers who nearly cause a collision. Let’s work to keep our highways safer together.”

If you plan to drink or use drugs at an event, make sure to arrange a safe ride home. Options include festival shuttles, taxis, rideshares, public transit, and designated drivers.