Police in Metro Vancouver are stepping up their efforts to take impaired drivers off the roads, launching their summer counterattack campaign.
Officers across the region will team up with ICBC to educate drivers about getting behind the wheel while drunk or on drugs.
Additional road blocks will also be set up. Impaired driving remains one of the top three contributing factors for fatal crashes, and is the leading cause of criminal death in Canada.
“Tragically, 36 people die on our roads during the summer months. That’s one every three days. Thirty-six people are going to be killed this year, or have been killed in previous years, as a result of impaired drivers driving during the summer months,” said Delta Police Department Chief Neil Dubord at a press conference this morning.
The rollout begins on Canada Day, which is typically one the of most dangerous days of the year on B.C. roads. Last July 1, 230 people were injured in 756 crashes across the province.
“The simple goal of traffic enforcement is to change dangerous driving behaviours that needlessly hurt our communities,” said Dubord.
“Crashes involving alcohol and drugs are entirely preventable and don’t have to be part of our summer activities.”