RCMP officers up and down Vancouver Island will be out through December to catch impaired drivers. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

don't drink and drive

‘Please find a safe way home:’ police checks increasing on Nanaimo & area roads

Dec 2, 2024 | 12:00 PM

NANAIMO — Roadside checks for impaired drivers are ramping up ahead of the holiday season.

B.C. Highway Patrol officers are joining with local RCMP detachments across Vancouver Island for increased enforcement on area roads, both before and after National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Insp. Adam Tallboy said “some very large road checks” will be setup in strategic locations.

“People can expect to see an increase in officers on the roadway and hopefully when they’re stopped by police officers, they have made smart choices and will be able to be moved along quickly and get onto their holiday plans.”

Last year’s campaign on the enforcement day, recognized on the first Saturday in December, saw around 6,500 vehicles on the Island checked.

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During those stops, 336 breath tests were administered with 45 impaired drivers removed from the road.

Penalties for driving drunk or high vary.

“Sanctions for driving impaired can range anywhere from a 12 hour suspension if you’re a new driver with alcohol in your body as new drivers have conditions not to have any alcohol when they’re driving. Then you can have a 24 hour suspension, a three day immediate roadside prohibition…or a 90 day roadside prohibition.”

The 90-day prohibition sees a driver’s vehicle impounded, at their expense, for 30 days, and their license suspended for 90.

Criminal code charges can also result depending on severity of intoxication, or if an impaired driver causes an accident, harms or kills other people.

Tallboy said it’s very simple to avoid all those penalties.

“Please find a safe way home, whether that’s a sober driver, a rideshare service, a taxi or a designated driver. Don’t drink and drive, or use drugs and drive.”

ICBC reports over 450 people are injured and two people killed in 1770 crashes on average every December.

— with files from Jon de Roo, 97.3 The Eagle

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