As we get into the holidays, Kelowna Mounties are urging the public to ensure they have a safe ride home after holiday parties, office gatherings or nights out with loved ones.
In an effort to keep the roads as safe as possible, the BC RCMP has brought back its CounterAttack initiative for another year.
The annual enforcement operation is a police-run roadblock tactic that aims to catch drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol.
The Kelowna RCMP’s municipal traffic unit recently did a CounterAttack blitz in Kelowna, which took four impaired drivers off the road.
According to police, two of the drivers were handed 90-day immediate roadside prohibitions (IRP) for registering a ‘fail’ on a roadside breath test.
One driver received a three-day IRP for registering a ‘warn’ reading on the breath test, while another received a 24-hour suspension for being impaired by cannabis.
It wasn’t just impaired drivers that were busted during this blitz, as the enforcement also resulted in the following:
- Four tickets for uninsured drivers
- Three tickets for speeding
- Two prohibited drivers taken off the road
- One ticket for distracted driving due to cellphone use
- One ticket and vehicle impound for excessive speeding
“Tragically, too many people are injured or killed in preventable alcohol and drug related collisions every year,” said Sgt. Laura Pollock.
“Keeping our roads safe is a shared responsibility and it starts by making good choices before you get behind the wheel. If you are going to drink alcohol or consume drugs, don’t drive and arrange in advance for a safe ride.”
The Kelowna RCMP will continue CounterAttack enforcement operations over the coming weeks in an effort to reduce the number of traffic injuries and fatalities over the holidays.
