Fewer B.C. drivers were caught impaired behind the wheel last month compared to the same time in 2024, with Vancouver Island numbers remaining consistent. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

holiday campaign

‘Drive more sober:’ December blitz nets fewer drunk drivers than last year, but still too many

Jan 10, 2026 | 9:55 AM

NANAIMO — The number of B.C. drivers caught impaired behind the wheel last month was down overall compared to 2024, with no change seen on Vancouver Island.

That’s according to the BC Highway Patrol, who handed out a total of 240 license prohibitions to impaired drivers last month, 27 fewer than in December 2024.

Cpl. Michael McLaughlin said several factors could be at play for the drop in numbers, including staffing challenges, the location of check stops, and even weather conditions.

“Overall, we do see some concerning increases, particularly in the north. Vancouver Island, we haven’t seen a great change up or down; it’s essentially flat. We still have too many impaired drivers, and that’s the message we want to get there: people need to be more careful, and drive more sober.”

McLaughlin said the numbers don’t include any information from local RCMP detachments, so while they know it’s not a complete picture, it’s clear impaired driving is still an issue province-wide.

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While the number of driving prohibitions related to impaired driving was down last month compared to 2024, police say it’s still too many people choosing to drive impaired. (BC Highway Patrol)

As the provincial population usually increases every year, McLaughlin said it is “somewhat” encouraging to see the number of drivers caught impaired isn’t growing at the same pace.

“We do think the message is getting out there. People are seeing enforcement and understanding there are real consequences beyond, of course, the fatalities and injuries that come from impaired driving every year. There is reason to be encouraged here, although we do caution people, let’s not get complacent: let’s do more work to reduce impaired driving even more.”

He said impaired driving continues to be one of the biggest factors in fatal collisions on provincial roads every year, and people need to be responsible and plan a safe ride home if they plan on drinking.

Recent trends have shown younger generations are drinking less alcohol than their older peers, with 67 per cent of adults 18-22 saying they had zero alcoholic drinks in the past week, compared to only 50 per cent of adults 45-64 years old, according to a 2024 report from Statistics Canada.

McLaughlin said that’s an encouraging trend which will have a good, positive, downstream effect on their driving habits and skills.

“The main message here is driving is a serious and potentially dangerous activity if we don’t treat it with the respect it deserves. So hopefully, as young people get older, they’re hearing this message that impaired driving is not acceptable and comes with real consequences.”

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

The annual Winter Impaired Driving Campaign is a province-wide effort, using extra check stops, patrols, and enhanced enforcement techniques to support National Impaired Driving Prevention month. (BC Highway Patrol)

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