STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
Local police will be out in force through December, targeting impaired drivers. Each year, 11 people on Vancouver Island are killed in crashes involving impaired drivers. (ICBC)
PLAN AHEAD

‘There are people who choose to drink and drive and we’re there to stop them:’ holiday enforcement ramps up in Nanaimo

Dec 2, 2021 | 4:09 PM

NANAIMO — Local police say impaired driving is a sure-fire way to make Santa’s naughty list this holiday season.

In recognition of national impaired driving enforcement day on Saturday, Dec. 4, local RCMP are preparing to increase patrols on area roads and highways.

Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW they’ll have an increased presence through the Nanaimo area.

“We hit all the corridors but then we have roving patrols. We know some drivers get really silly and they see the flashing lights and they like to turn off but we know exactly where they’re going to turn off.”

On Saturday night, police will be joined by representatives from ICBC with some gifts for those doing the right thing.

They’ll be handing out gift cards to designated drivers who go through police checkpoints as a way to show appreciation for safely transporting family and friends.

The issue of impaired driving is not unique to Nanaimo, O’Brien said it’s a “chronic issue” in every community.

“There are people who choose to drink and drive and we’re there to stop them.”

The best advice to avoid extended time with officers this holiday season is to plan ahead.

“Don’t drive your car if you’re going to drink,” O’Brien added. “Have a designated driver, get a taxi or even walk but do not put yourself in a situation where you’re behind the wheel and driving a vehicle while impaired.”

Data from ICBC shows 65 people die every year in B.C. as a result of crashes involving impaired drivers, including 11 on Vancouver Island.

Male drivers account for nearly 70 per cent of impaired driving crashes in the province.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW