(Image Credit: CFJC News)

By Sydney Chisholm

Impaired Driving

With holiday parties around Kamloops, Counterattack road checks return

Dec 8, 2022 | 5:04 PM

KAMLOOPS — The season of holiday parties is here and, like clockwork, Mounties are reminding drivers to plan ahead with the relaunch of the Counterattack program.

“This time of year, we tend to see an increase in impaired drivers, so we like to have additional members out on the road making sure we keep our roadways safe during the Christmas and holiday season,” said Cpl. Dana Napier of the Kamloops RCMP.

According to Kamloops RCMP, initiatives to prevent impaired drivers are conducted throughout the year, but during the Christmas season, more officers will be on the road doing checks.

“When you come up to a road check or a Counterattack check, just roll down your window and have that honest conversation with that police officer. They are going to want to check your driver’s license, your insurance and your sobriety to make sure that you are safe to drive on the roads,” Napier said.

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While the criminal code legal limit is .08, drivers can still be ticketed for blowing .05 or lower. Police are reminding people to arrange safe rides home — whether that means taking transit or using a service like Operation Red Nose.

Carolynn Boomer, founder of Operation Red Nose, said in the first two weekends of this year’s campaign, the service has completed 154 safe rides home.

“That’s 154 people who you don’t really know — may or may not have taken a chance to drive home under the influence,” Boomer told CFJC News. “This program really keeps our streets safe.”

Last year in B.C., 66 people died as a result of impaired driving. The Counterattack road stops are intended to catch impaired drivers and remove them from the road while also reminding people that B.C.’s impaired driving laws are tough and those who break them will be met with harsh penalties.