By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

RCMP report high compliance with CounterAttack program in full swing

Dec 14, 2018 | 4:24 PM

NANAIMO — Police are encouraged by the amount of sober drivers during a month where countless road blocks are set up all over the mid island.

Funding from ICBC kicked in on Dec. 1, leading to numerous strategically located CounterAttack roadblocks throughout the region.

Central Island Traffic Services RCMP Sgt. Darrin Ramey told NanaimoNewsNOW their officers have reported high compliance numbers.

“We’ve had a few (impaired drivers) and we’ll always have a few,” Ramey said. “We’re spreading a broader net looking at all sorts of different infractions, but for right now I think we’re very similar to the numbers we’ve had the last few years.”

Ramey said strict impaired driving penalties and fines implemented in B.C. in 2010 have had a positive impact.

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The head of Nanaimo RCMP’s traffic detachment has also noticed a high level of compliance so far this holiday season.

Cpl. Terry Crawford said they haven’t come across many impaired drivers at check stops.

“Just hearing that ‘I’m the designated driver this weekend’ or ‘I’ve just been drinking tea all night because we’ve been at an office party and it’s my turn to drive.’ We are feeling fairly encouraged that the message is getting out there.”

As of Tuesday, police officers across Canada will be able to order motorists take a roadside breathalyzer if no signs of impairment are shown.

ICBC reported impaired driving kills an average of nine people annually on Vancouver Island.

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