Saanich police is among the departments across B.C. that traditionally amp up impaired driving enforcement in December.
Halfway through the month, officers have already stopped 25 impaired drivers with 14 receiving 90-day licence suspensions and towed vehicles.
Aside from the human cost – 61 people die every year in impaired driving crashes according to ICBC – B.C. has the highest financial consequences for impaired driving.
Penalties include vehicle impound which comes with costs – fines from $600 to $4,060, jail time and installation of interlock
Drivers could also face a higher driver risk premium when insuring.
As well, anyone who drives impaired is likely in breach of their insurance policy, leaving them personally responsible for 100 per cent of damage and injury costs.
“Drivers, there is no excuse for getting behind the wheel impaired by drugs or alcohol. Hail a taxi or ride-share, take transit, or have a designated driver,” Saanich police said on social media. “Let’s have a safe and responsible holiday season.”
Six members of the Saanich Police Department were recently recognized with Alexa’s Team Award for their work in taking dozens of impaired drivers off the streets in 2023.
The accolade is issued to an officer who removes at least 24 impaired drivers in a calendar year. Three Saanich officers were named Alexa Team-All Stars for removing 50 impaired drivers within 12 months.
Alexa's team was established in 2010 in honour of four-year-old Alexa Middelaer who was killed by a drunk driver.
