Road checks and roving patrols conducted as part of the Prince George RCMP’s winter impaired driving campaign saw big numbers this year.
Police found 45 impaired drivers, 18 drivers who were prohibited from driving, and nearly 50 people who were driving without a valid licence or insurance.
"Although the holidays are over, our attention will remain on those drivers that do the most harm in our community," says Sgt. Matt Labelle in a press release. "Please make good decisions about your driving habits and help us make our roads safer."
Static road checks and patrols were conducted from Nov. 30 to Jan. 1 by officers from the Prince George RCMP's municipal traffic services section as well as general duty officers.
Police checked more than 2,000 drivers for their level of sobriety on the roads.
Here's what they found:
- 45 impaired drivers
- 4 Criminal Code impaired driving (alcohol)
- One Criminal Code impaired driving (drugs)
- 28 90-day immediate roadside prohibition (IRP) with 30-day vehicle impoundment (over 100 mg%)
- 12 three-day IRP with seven-day vehicle impoundment (between 60 and 99 mg%)
- 11 other suspensions
- Nine 24-hour suspensions for alcohol (between 50 and 59 mg%)
- One 24-hour suspension for drugs
- One 12-hour suspension for a learner or new driver with alcohol in the body
- 18 prohibited/suspended drivers apprehended
- 19 drivers served prohibition orders on behalf of the Motor Vehicle Branch
- 219 Motor Vehicle Act or Motor Vehicle Act Regulation violations
- 20 drivers operating a vehicle without a valid licence
- 29 uninsured vehicles
- 33 drivers operating a vehicle contrary to their driving restrictions
- Nine drive without due care and attention charges
- 69 speeding violations
- 43 intersection-related violations
- Eight distracted-driving violations
- Eight vehicles sent for inspection due to improper/inadequate equipment
- Three Liquor Control and Licencing Act violations
- Four Cannabis Act violations
- One Firearms Act charge for having a loaded firearm in a vehicle
- Three Controlled Drugs and Substances Act charges (possession of controlled substances)
- Five other Criminal Code charges
Throughout January and February, the Prince George RCMP's traffic services section will be conducting enforcement at high-collision intersections, targeting prohibited and suspended drivers, and will continue to address impaired driving.
