Police are reminding British Columbians to be extra cautious on the roads this weekend.
This weekend is the first big driving weekend of the summer.
Every year on Canada Day, there are an average of 600 crashes around the province.
Police say many of those crashes involve alcohol.
Tonight, police will kick off this summer’s counterattack campaign, the longest running and most extensive in the country.
“Summertime represents a time for everyone to be outdoors, whether they be golfing or camping, and we usually see alcohol consumption at a higher rate,” says Supt. Denis Boucher of the RCMP.
Get breaking National news
Cops across B.C. begin their offensive tonight, using the immediate roadside prohibition legislation, which are the toughest drunk driving laws in Canada.
“If you blow over .05 you get a penalty and if it is over .08 it’s a different penalty,” says Suzanne Anton, Attorney General and Justice Minister.
“It’s immediate and its expensive, it is still before the court and we are asking the court to rule on it in the fall, but it has had a dramatic effect in BC.”
Depending on your level of impairment, your car will be impounded for three to 30 days.
While B.C. awaits the court challenge of the law, other provinces are hoping it gets the green light so they can implement the same laws.
In the three years it has been in place, authorities believe they have prevented close to 150 drinking driver deaths.
The sobering facts are that too many people still drink and drive.
Two people will likely die in crashes this holiday weekend.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.