Though Saanich Police are reporting a decrease in the total number of impaired drivers this year, July and August saw a whopping 92 cases of those inebriated behind the wheel.
According to police, 46 of those 92 drivers received a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) which means they either blew a FAIL on an Approved Screening Device, or alternatively, refused to provide a breath sample.
Of the 92 impaired drivers caught:
- 72 IRPs were issues ranging from 3-days to 90-days—these drivers also had their vehicles impounded from 3-days to 30-days
- 59 of the drivers were stopped between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m.
- 20 Drivers received 24-hour license suspensions
- 7 of the individuals who received a 90-day IRP held a class seven license
- 6 of the drivers were impaired by drugs
- 2 of the of the impaired drivers were involved in single vehicle collisions which resulted in minor injuries
“Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs endangers everyone in our community, including the person driving,” said Deputy Chief Paul Douglas, Operations.
“While we have seen a decrease in the total number of impaired drivers this year, the number of drivers blowing a fail on a screening device or refusing to provide a breath sample remains high. A single impaired driver is one too many. There is no excuse for driving impaired, and our department will continue to deploy resources to stop this selfish behaviour.”
Saanich Police are reminding the public that if you are caught driving impaired, officers have the right to suspend your driver’s licence or impound your vehicle, depending on the severity of the infraction.
