Almost a thousand drivers chose the red nose during the holiday season but an alarming number of people chose the red lights of the RCMP instead.
Operation Red Nose is a volunteer-based community safety service run by the Rotary Club of Prince George Nechako in partnership with ICBC and the Prince George RCMP.
With one phone call, anyone who believes themselves to be possibly impaired can get a ride home with an Operation Red Nose team that also delivers your vehicle at the same time.
During the four weekends of the holiday season, 802 rides were provided plus another 157 safe trips home on New Year's Eve itself.
It was the fifth-busiest Operation Red Nose year in the program's 21-year history in Prince George.
The feat was carried out by 24 road teams at the peak of Dec. 31 action. Overall, the campaign ran on the dispatching, driving and navigating of 197 volunteers.
"We're quite happy with how New Year's Eve unfolded," said Andrea Johnson, Operation Red Nose spokesperson, who profusely thanked the volunteers for nine nights of dedication.
"The longest wait times (on New Year's Eve) were one hour at most and our teams managed to keep up with the demand for rides we experienced from midnight to 3 a.m. We appreciate the patience of everyone who called us for a ride as our volunteer teams navigated their way through the snowy weather."
The delivery of driver and vehicle is made by donation, with all proceeds raised going to amateur sports organizations in the community, channeled through the Rotary club.
Those who opted to drive themselves while impaired ran into a formidable police presence. The region's dedicated enforcement campaign ran from Nov. 30 to New Year's Day.
More than 2,000 drivers were checked by police and, according to the statistical results, it was a necessary focus.
Inside the City of Prince George alone (more enforcement was focused on the roads and highways of the broader region), 45 impaired drivers were taken off the road, five of them at the Criminal Code level.
In addition to the suspensions and charges for impairment, 18 drivers were prohibited or suspended and now face new consequences, 20 more had no valid license, 29 vehicles were uninsured, nine drivers were charged for driving without due care and attention plus eight more for distracted driving, 69 drivers were speeding and a loaded firearm was found in one of the vehicles.
"All of the above numbers are a concern for police and show that some road users still choose to ignore laws," said Prince George RCMP Cpl. Craig Douglass. "Forty-five persons made the choice to drive while impaired to do so, putting other road users at increased risk. Eighteen drivers knew they were prohibited or suspended from driving, yet were caught driving. Nearly 50 people were caught driving without a valid licence or without valid insurance, a seemingly innocent mistake until you're involved in a collision and that mistake changes your life forever."
Sgt. Matt Labelle, in charge of the Prince George RCMP's Municipal Traffic Enforcement Section, said the holiday results were "big numbers" so there would be no letting up by local police.
"Although the holidays are over, our attention will remain on those drivers that do the most harm in our community," Labelle said. "Please make good decisions about your driving habits and help us make our roads safer."
Throughout January and February, the Prince George RCMP's Traffic Services Section will be conducting enforcement at high collision intersections, will target prohibited and suspended drivers and will continue to address impaired driving.
