There was no shortage of RCMP-staffed roadblocks all across B.C. during the 2012 holiday Counterattack campaign, but police officers found fewer impaired drivers than in previous years.
According to preliminary numbers, throughout areas policed by the RCMP in B.C., police laid 961 impaired related charges from December 2, 2012 to January 2, 2013, compared to 1,434 for the same period last year.
“There’s been very good media coverage of the new impaired driving legislation and penalties, and I think that’s helped people make better choices,” said Corporal Robert McDonald, speaking on behalf of RCMP Traffic Services in BC.
Cpl. McDonald points out that even when they were out of uniform, RCMP members were trying to keep roads safe, with a few volunteering with Operation Red Nose on New Year’s Eve, driving partiers safely home.
Police continued to enforce other problematic driving behavior during the Counterattack. More than 1,419 people got ticketed for use of an electronic device while driving, and 213 drivers were caught excessive speeding (doing 40 km/hour or more over the posted limit.)
“Our officers continued to enforce seat belt laws as well, handing out 1,364 seat belt tickets during December. Parents – please keep your infants and children safe. Children need to be in an approved child restraint seat until they are nine years old or are 4’9” tall,” says Cpl. McDonald.
For more information go to: www.bcaaroadsafety.com
The following are preliminary numbers for the 2012 Campaign:
• 3 Days Immediate Road Prohibition – 272 issued
• 7 Days Immediate Road Prohibition – 6 issued
• 90 Days Immediate Road Prohibition – 348 Issued
• Immediate Road Prohibition Refusal – 47 Issued
• Criminal Code Impaired Driving charges – 34 issued
• New Driver 12 Hrs suspensions – 54 issued
• 24 Hrs suspensions – 57 Issued
• Drug related 24 Hrs Suspensions – 135 issued
• Drug Criminal Code Impaired Driving charges – 8 issued