The B.C. government, police and ICBC recently launched the annual December CounterAttack campaign to ask drivers to plan ahead for a safe ride home if their holiday festivities will involve alcohol.
During December, an average of five people are killed in B.C. each year in crashes involving impaired driving.
While attitudes towards drinking and driving have changed considerably over the years, an average of 95 lives are still lost each year and impaired driving remains a leading cause of car crash fatalities in B.C.*
“We’ve come a long way since 1976, the year before CounterAttack roadchecks started, when more than 300 people were killed in impaired related crashes each year in our province,” said Suzanne Anton, Attorney General and Minister of Justice. “Despite the progress, the numbers are far too high, which is why we’re committed to reducing crashes involving alcohol and drugs and will continue to support enhanced enforcement, including the December CounterAttack campaign.”
If your holiday festivities involve alcohol, make a plan before you head out. Arrange for a designated driver or use other options to get home safely – call a taxi or Operation Red Nose, take transit or call a sober friend.
“The reality is that approximately one third of all car crash fatalities in B.C. are related to impaired driving,” said Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “These are preventable tragedies. Safety is our top priority and we want everyone to do their part this Christmas season and look out for their friends and family – take a stand and don’t let them get behind the wheel impaired.”
Every December, an average of 1,100 people are injured in 3,800 crashes in the Southern Interior.
On average, 31 people are killed in crashes involving impaired driving in the Southern Interior every year.
Police across the province will be out in full force at CounterAttack roadchecks this holiday season looking for drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.