Constable Bruce Stangl speaks to a driver during a CounterAttack road check on Hwy. 3 on Saturday evening. Osoyoos RCMP were on the lookout for impaired drivers, but they didn’t encounter any. (Richard McGuire photo)
Tis the season to be jolly – and sober -when you get behind the wheel of your car or truck.
In this day and age, there’s simply no excuse for drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and getting behind the wheel.
That’s the case 365 days of the year, but that message is of particular significance during the holiday season.
The Christmas and New Year’s holidays more often than not are a time for Christmas staff parties, sharing the holiday spirit for co-workers and friends and getting together with family and loved ones.
Many people enjoy a drink or two with their co-workers, friends and family members during the holiday season and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
What is wrong is making the improper and potentially dangerous decision to get behind the wheel of your car or truck and attempt to drive home once you’ve imbibed alcoholic beverages.
Local members of the RCMP will once again be out conducting CounterAttack roadside spot checks throughout the holiday season here in Osoyoos and across the South Okanagan.
Despite the fact hundreds of B.C. residents still get killed or seriously injured every year in preventable accidents directly related to impaired driving and the endless barrage of news reports and campaigns highlighting the seriousness of this issue, there will be people who make the terrible decision to drink and drive this holiday season.
If you can’t absorb the fact that you could kill or maim an innocent child – or yourself for that matter – remember you could face serious financial consequences, suspension of your driving privileges, the possibility of losing your employment and potentially time in jail if you’re caught.
If you want to have a drink over the holiday season, there are many alternatives to getting home safe and sound. You can call a sober friend or family member, take public transportation, call a cab or even walk home if you run out of options. If you insist on drinking and driving, you’re eventually going to get caught and don’t blame anyone else.
