Vancouver Police took 60 impaired drivers off the road in the first weekend of the December CounterAttack campaign, compared with 45 during the same weekend of 2011. In the two nights, officers gave 298 tests, resulting in the following:

  • 18 Immediate Roadside Suspensions (IRP) “fail” sanctions
  • 21 IRP “warn” sanctions
  • ten 24-hour prohibitions
  • three 24-hour prohibition for impairment by drugs
  • eight new drivers received 12-hour prohibitions

A concerning trend again this year is the number of impaired “N” drivers, with eight new drivers receiving 12-hour prohibitions.

Police will continue to be out in force throughout December, as promised last Thursday by Minister Mary Polak and Victoria Police Chief Jamie Graham, the Chair of the BC Association of Chiefs’ Traffic Safety Committee, when they launched this season’s CounterAttack.

“The holiday season is full of celebrations and we want people to enjoy themselves,” says Constable Brian Montague. “Plan ahead if you are drinking to ensure you have a safe way of getting home.”