Plan ahead for a safe ride home if any of your activities this summer involve alcohol.
That's the advice from Insurance Corporation of British Columbia heading as summer kicks off in earnest with the Canada Day long weekend.
Each year in B.C., 66 people die in crashes involving impaired driving and nearly half* of those deaths happen during summer months. On Canada Day, 180 people are injured and one person is killed in 640 crashes every year in B.C.
Starting this long weekend, police are stepping up their enforcement of impaired drivers at CounterAttack roadchecks throughout B.C.
"Police are out on B.C. roads looking to remove impaired drivers at multiple CounterAttack roadchecks this summer," said Chief Constable Neil Dubord, Chair of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police traffic safety committee.
"The dangers of impaired driving are real, the consequences can be life changing. Don't be the reason someone doesn't make it home. Plan ahead, don't drink and drive - for everyone's sake."
Perhaps the best step is to leave your car at home if you plan to drink. Transit, taxis or a designated driver are all viable options, according to ICBC.
If you're hosting a celebration this summer and plan to serve alcohol, a new ICBC special event permit kit is free to order on icbc.com. It'll also be featured if you apply for an event liquor permit on BCLiquorStores.com. The kits includes items to encourage guests to not drink if they're the designated driver or find a safe ride home.
