New Year's Eve impaired driving still an issue

Despite decades of messaging that impaired driving can cost people their lives and livelihood, it seemed that several drivers in Campbell River chose to ignore the well documented slogan, If you drink, don't drive, while celebrating the New Year.

In total, seven drivers were found to be impaired when checked by police between the hours of 8:30 pm Dec 31st, 2022, and 2:30 am on January 1st, 2023. 

Two of the of the seven drivers were found to have failed roadside screening tests and were issued ninety-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) for driving and their vehicles were impounded for thirty days. 

The other five impaired drivers showed signs of impairment however, they blew warnings on the roadside screening devices and were issued three-day IRP's and had their vehicles towed.  

One of the five drivers who was issued a three-day suspension was the cause of a power outage after striking a power pole in the 600 block of South Alder just before 2:30 am January 1st, 2023.

We were fortunate this New Year's that nobody was seriously injured due to impaired driving, said Cst. Maury Tyre. We would hope that the more people see impaired drivers getting caught and punished that it will serve as both education and as a deterrent to impaired driving.

The Campbell River RCMP are encouraging the public to plan ahead for safe rides before partaking in intoxicating substances. If you are aware of an impaired driver out on the road please contact the police immediately at 911.