Oceanside RCMP and B.C. Highway Patrol officers were part of a checkpoint along Hwy. 4 on Tuesday morning. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

high risk driving

Morning roadblock near Qualicum Beach pulls impaired drivers off the road

May 26, 2023 | 5:22 AM

QUALICUM BEACH — It was proof positive impaired drivers are a risk on the road any time of day.

Officers from B.C. Highway Patrol set up a checkpoint near the Hwy. 4 and Hwy. 19 interchange, south of Qualicum Beach, on Tuesday, May 23.

Staff Sgt. Adam Tallboy said during their time they dealt with around 4,000 drivers and checked for driving impairment, distracted driving, seat belt use and speed. Three drivers were removed from the road as a result of impaired driving.

“It’s always concerning when you have an impaired driver any time of the day, but when you’re starting your day at 10 a.m. and you have them being impaired, it does shine the light on the fact impaired driving happens any time of the day.”

Tallboy said a vast majority of the drivers were doing what they were supposed to be doing, remaining focused on the road and not driving while impaired.

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Eight tickets were also issued for a variety of infractions.

“We did have some minor vehicle defects and I remember talking to [drivers] about things like having an unsecured dog sitting on your lap as you’re driving, distractions which could lead to collisions.

The event was part of high-risk driving month, an awareness campaign put on by RCMP in May to highlight the dangers of various dangerous activities while driving.

On average, 114 people die on B.C. roads every year in crashes linked to high-risk driving behaviours.

— with files from Jon de Roo, 97.3 FM The Eagle

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