Statistics released this week by the Abbotsford Police Department provide some surprising information about impaired drivers, says Const. Ian MacDonald.
MacDonald said police looked at a 28-day period, running from Jan. 23 to Feb. 19, and found that of the 44 impaired drivers caught during that time, one-quarter of the infractions took place between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Many of these drivers were in or near school zones when pulled over by police, MacDonald added.
He said these stats dispel the myths that people are driving drunk only at night, that many of them will take back roads to avoid detection and that most are detected only during police roadblocks.
In one case, an impaired woman in her 40s was caught driving 80 km/hr through a school zone at 1 p.m.
MacDonald said if this wasn’t alarming enough, the woman was oblivious that police were attempting to pull her over.
“It took quite awhile to get her attention, despite the lights and sirens,” he said.
When she was stopped, an open bottle of rum was found in her car. The woman was given a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition.
MacDonald said enforcement during the 28-day period was conducted at all hours of the day and night, and the stats are an eye-opener.
“Impaired driving is a 24/7 issue, and it puts us all at risk,” he said.
