Around 10 per cent of Vancouver Island drivers who completed a roadside breath screening test over the Canada Day long weekend were found to be impaired. (File Photo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

one in 10

BC Highway Patrol removes impaired drivers from Island roads over long weekend

Jul 10, 2024 | 1:14 PM

NANAIMO — The BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) had a busy Canada Day long weekend stopping impaired drivers on Vancouver Island.

Out of the 256 roadside breath tests performed at check stops, 24 people were pulled off the road for impairment by alcohol, and two for impairment by drugs.

Insp. Chad Badry with the BCHP said enforcement efforts were ramped up in anticipation of Canada Day celebrations as well as the Laketown Shakedown music festival in Lake Cowichan, which ran from June 28-30.

“A little bit scary when we’re looking at one out of every ten drivers that we tested was actually impaired, and it’s really unfortunate that people made poor decisions over the weekend, but fortunate that we were out there and we were able to get these people off the road before they hurt themselves or other people.”

Badry said a number of impaired drivers were caught in the Okanagan region over the same weekend, but in lower numbers compared to the Island.

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He said a change in legislation regarding administering roadside breath screening tests allows them more leeway.

“In 2018, a law changed in Canada in the Criminal Code, and it allows police officers that find someone driving a vehicle to get a breath sample from them on an approved screening device…without having any suspicion or anything like that. We just get a breath sample and if they pass they are on their way.”

He said the public should expect to see more roadside check stops screening for impaired drivers all summer long.

Penalties include immediate roadside prohibition ranging from three to 90 days suspension depending on the driver’s blood alcohol level, and having their vehicles impounded.

Impaired driving remains one of the leading causes of death on B.C. roadways, according to the BCHP.

— with files from Jon De Roo/97.3 The Eagle.

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