Impaired driving remains a leading cause of fatal car crashes, with an average of 66 lives lost every year in British Columbia.
This is why the B.C. Liberal government, police and ICBC are urging drivers to plan ahead and make smart decisions to get home safely this holiday season.
CounterAttack roadside checks will be set up by police across the province to keep impaired drivers off our roads throughout December.
ICBC is helping to prevent impaired driving with an education campaign, funding for CounterAttack roadside checks and get home safe promotion with businesses, sports facilities and community groups.
Get more stats and facts from ICBC’s infographic and learn more about the CounterAttack campaign at icbc.com.
Impaired driving
If your activities involve drinking, plan ahead for a safe ride home. Arrange a designated driver, but don’t make plans with your car.
Don’t ruin holiday fun
Seasonal get-togethers, office parties, and days on the slopes are some of the best ways to pass the chilly months.
Whether it’s after work or apres-ski, make the smart choice and plan to get home safely. Remember, the best time to decide how to get home responsibly is before you start drinking.
Police across the province will be looking for impaired drivers at CounterAttack roadside checks this winter.
Price of impaired driving
B.C. has the toughest drinking and driving laws in Canada.
If you’re caught driving impaired, you could face these penalties:
• Driving suspensions from 24 hours to 90 days
• Vehicle impoundment
• Fines, from $600 up to $4,060
• Jail time
• Mandatory rehabilitation
• Installation of ignition interlock in your vehicle
You may also have to pay a Driver Risk Premium, on top of your insurance.
If you crash while driving impaired, you’re likely in breach of your insurance policy. That means you could be personally responsible for 100 per cent of the costs if you damage someone else’s property or injure them.
Plan ahead
Getting home safe is a shared responsibility.
Take your turn being the designated driver – your friends and family will thank you.
When you drink and drive, you not only risk your life but those of others on the road. With so many options to get home safely, there is no excuse to drive while impaired.
