11 nabbed in first 5 days of drink-drive battle

Victoria police pulled over what they characterized as a disappointingly large group of impaired drivers during the first five days of the annual Counter-Attack roadblock season.

Police nabbed 11 drivers on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs between Nov. 30 and Dec. 4.

“Eleven is a lot,” said Victoria police Const. Matt Rutherford. “There is no reason for any impaired driver to be on the road.”

Over the same time period, West Shore RCMP dealt with four allegedly impaired motorists.

“That’s four too many,” said West Shore RCMP Const. Matt Baker.

He said West Shore officers consider every impaired driver caught to be the equivalent of saving a life.

Police roadblocks can turn up “any time, any place,” Rutherford said.

He said the dangers of impaired driving have been well publicized and everyone should know that police enforcement goes on. He said there are many ways for people to get home safely, such as taxis and designated drivers.

The current Counter-Attack campaign runs throughout December.

ICBC noted that B.C.’s. toughest-in-Canada impaired driving laws can lead to driving suspensions from 24 hours to 90 days, vehicle impoundment and fines ranging from $600 to $4,060. On top of that, a crash while impaired is likely to put you in breach of your insurance policy.

According to ICBC, 57 per cent of impaired driving crashes happen on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and 39 per cent happen between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.

Lindsay Matthews, ICBC’s director responsible for road safety, said impaired driving crashes are “completely preventable” and also contribute to cost pressures with insurance rates.

Since Counter-Attack started in 1977, alcohol-related deaths have dropped from more than 300 per year to an average of 65, ICBC said.

An average of nine people are killed annually on Vancouver Island in incidents involving impaired driving.