Impaired-driving campaign nabs ‘far too many,’ Victoria police say
A female driver unlicensed for 13 years and a new driver who had consumed alcohol were among those nabbed by Victoria police during the first CounterAttack campaign of the summer.
Three drivers sanctioned for having consumed alcohol on July 12 are in addition to 19 drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol pulled over in Victoria and Esquimalt from July 1 to July 10.
“That number is far too many, for my comfort, driving on the same roads,” said Victoria police Const. Matt Rutherford.
Victoria police officers turned the northbound lanes of Blanshard Street — between Bay and Pembroke streets — into a parking lot as they checked for impaired drivers, motorists without licences or insurance, and faulty vehicles.
More than 1,300 drivers and vehicles were checked between 7:15 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.
Of the three motorists detected to have consumed alcohol, two were given three-day suspensions.
A third male, a new driver who, by law, is not allowed to consume any alcohol before driving, was given an immediate 12-hour suspension, ticketed, and will have his licence reviewed by the superintendent of motor vehicles.
“That can set a new driver back in licensing and their legal ability to drive significantly,” said Victoria police civilian spokesman Bowen Osoko.
Impairment is one of the top contributing factors for fatal car crashes, according to ICBC.
Before CounterAttack programs in B.C., there were 330 people dying each year in crashes due to impaired driving.
That number is now 65, said ICBC spokeswoman Colleen Woodger.
“It’s a great improvement, but it’s still unacceptable. We’re still seeing impaired driving as a leading criminal cause of death in Canada and it’s still one of the top contributing factors of fatality crashes . . . there’s still a lot of work to be done.”
ICBC supports enhanced enforcement initiatives through a funding agreement with the Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General.
In 2017-18, ICBC invested about $22.1 million in enhanced enforcement such as CounterAttack, distracted driving, speed enforcement and seatbelt checks.