By Times Chronicle Staff
More than 600 drivers in the South Okanagan were checked for impaired driving resulting in a dozen drivers being cited over a two-day period July 4-6.
Taking part in the provincial summer impaired driving campaign on behalf of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police, BC Highway Patrol Keremeos officers conducted Impaired Driving Road Checks in the communities of Osoyoos, Summerland and Penticton. As a result over 600 vehicle drivers were checked for sobriety resulting in the following:
- 10 immediate roadside prohibitions;
- two prohibited drivers being removed from the road; and
- one driver refusing to provide a breath sample.
The Highway Patrol is reminding motorists of their responsibility to maintain safety on the road. “If you are planning on drinking, please do not drive. By finding an alternative way home such as transit, cabs, or a designated driver you can help ensure that you, and people sharing the road with you, get to their destination safely.”
Immediate roadside prohibitions are one of the tools used by police to remove impaired drivers off BC’s roadways, keeping roads and communities safe.
The immediate roadside prohibitions that were issued ranged from three days to 90 days depending on blood alcohol concentration, and were accompanied by vehicle impoundments.
“Our BC Highway Patrol teams across the Okanagan will continue to focus on drivers impaired by alcohol and drugs through the summer season to reduce the serious injury and fatal collisions on our highways,” said Inspector Rob Nason, officer in charge of BCHP Central.
“Drinking and driving has devastating effects on all of us. People who drive while impaired can lose their privilege to drive, they may be involved in collisions with life-altering outcomes and it can result in taking the lives of our friends, families and community members.”
