Coinciding with yesterday’s Canada Day celebrations, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) has partnered with provincial police to launch CounterAttack – a road safety campaign.
Both groups are encouraging drivers to be responsible and avoid driving while impaired, especially as public health orders ease and casinos, as well as nightclubs, reopened on Canada Day. As part of the new campaign, police will also be looking out for impaired drivers at CounterAttack road checks throughout the summer.
“It’s finally summer. Time for sun, fun… and the summer CounterAttack impaired driving campaign,” said chief constable Neil Dubord, chair of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee. “As businesses and communities begin opening back up, we’re all anxious to get out, socialize and enjoy this summer – safely. Summer also means that police across BC will be focused on impaired drivers and keeping BC’s roads safe,”
Dubord noted that while COVID-19 may be less risky than in recent months, driving impaired by alcohol or drugs is still a dangerous decision that all too often results in serious injuries or death. This, he said, is the police force is encouraging everybody to plan ahead and enjoy their summer events safely.
“If you have consumed alcohol or drugs – stay off our roads,” said Mike Farnworth, minister of public safety and solicitor general. “All too often, impaired driving leads to crashes that cause serious injury or death. If you don’t plan a safe ride home and instead choose to put yourself and others at risk, consider yourself warned: the police are out there with stepped-up enforcement this summer.”
ICBC vice president of public affairs and driver licensing Lindsay Matthews added: “When you drink and drive, you not only risk your life but those of others on the road. If your summer activities involve alcohol, plan ahead to get home safely. Use a designated driver, call a taxi or rideshare, or take transit.”
According to a statement from the ICBC, 67 people are killed and 1,600 are injured each year in impaired driving-related crashes. The insurer also noted that each year on Canada Day, one person is killed and 180 are injured in 650 crashes in BC.
