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RCMP issues handful of roadside prohibitions with CounterAttack campaign in full swing

The BC RCMP’s CounterAttack message is getting through in Campbell River – at least it is to most drivers.

The province’s month-long campaign included a one-day provincial blitz last Friday.

That’s when Campbell River RCMP and RCMP North Island Traffic Services ran multiple checkpoints. 

Campbell River RCMP spokesperson, Maury Tyre, said three Immediate Roadside Prohibitions (IRP’s) were handed out to drivers that night. 

Another two were issued later on in the weekend.

Tyre said impaired driving continues to be a major safety risk.

He added that research shows that 23 percent of crash fatalities in B.C. involve impaired driving. 

“In the Campbell River area, we have municipal officers and North Island Traffic service members that have extensive training in Impaired Driving Investigations and that includes Drug Recognition Experts,” Tyre said.

Provincial statistics show that, on average, 68 people die each year in crashes involving alcohol, drugs or medication (five year average from 2013 to 2017).

This makes impaired driving one of the leading causes of death on B.C. roadways. 

“Impaired driving, defined as driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, is entirely preventable yet it continues to happen with devastating consequences,” the BC RCMP said in a release.

“Police will be using every resource at their disposal to get impaired drivers off the road including the use of Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and specially trained Drug Recognition Experts. Police are also fully prepared to enforce the federal Cannabis Act and BC’s Cannabis Control and Licensing Act.”

Superintendent Holly Turton, the Officer in Charge of BC RCMP Traffic Services, said poor decisions can have tragic consequences for you and others.

“Please make alternate arrangements if you plan to consume anything that can impair your ability to drive,” Turton added.

“By finding alternative ways home, such as public transit, taxi or a designated driver, you can ensure that you, and others sharing the road with you get to their destination safely. If you do drive, please make it a habit to drive sober every time you get behind the wheel.”

You can expect to see numerous police road-checks throughout the province throughout December, and police are asking everyone to drive safely and obey the direction of officers at all check-stops.

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