If you’re planning to celebrate New Year’s Eve in a big way tonight, ICBC is warning drivers not to get behind the wheel.
Each year, 68 people die in crashes where alcohol is a factor, with half of those occurring during the December holidays.
Victoria police, for example, took 42 impaired drivers off the road between Dec. 1 and Dec. 24 – an average of two drunk drivers per day.
Officers will also be out on New Year’s Eve throughout the region to check for those driving while impaired by drugs and/or alcohol.
RELATED: Stricter drunk driving laws come into effect Dec. 18 across Canada
Officers are checking for impaired drivers tonight. https://t.co/40HnKSmcq6 #yyj #yyjtraffic #nye
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) December 31, 2018
RELATED: Impaired driver crashes into Victoria police vehicle, injures officer
For those who indulge a little too much, taxi companies will be available as well as paid driving services like Dial-a-Driver, Drive Smart and Call My Driver.
BC Transit will also provide complimentary service for riders in Greater Victoria on New Year’s Eve from 6 p.m. onward.
Check Twitter (@BCTransit) to see what time free transit service starts in other B.C. cities.
#Victoria: Ring in the New Year with FREE #NYE service on Monday after 6:00pm! #YYJ #GetHomeSafe
— BC Transit (@BCTransit) December 28, 2018
B.C. has the harshest drinking and driving laws in the country. Those caught can face driving suspensions up to 90 days, vehicle impoundment, fines up to $4,000, jail time, mandatory rehabilitation, a premium on car insurance or the installation of an ignition interlock.
Happy New Year! Stay safe.
