A targeted road safety operation on Vancouver Island’s west coast has led to dozens of suspensions and nearly 100 tickets, as police crack down on impaired driving in smaller communities.
According to BC Highway Patrol, a Joint Force Operation with Tofino RCMP and Ucluelet RCMP removed 19 impaired drivers from the road during a coordinated enforcement effort on March 27th.
Officers checked hundreds of vehicles throughout the day, conducting breath tests and field sobriety assessments to identify drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs.
The operation resulted in 14 alcohol-related driving suspensions ranging from 12 hours to 90 days, along with five drug-related suspensions. Police also issued 94 violation tickets under the Motor Vehicle Act and laid two charges for driving while prohibited.
Police say those caught impaired were split almost evenly between local residents and visitors.
“The impaired drivers were roughly 50/50 split between locals and visitors,” said Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “That means everyone needs to make better decisions. Plan a safe ride home no matter who you are.”
The enforcement initiative included the use of a breathalyzer and standardized field sobriety testing, tools used to detect both alcohol and drug impairment at roadside stops.
BC Highway Patrol says specialized units will continue travelling to communities across the province where road safety concerns have been identified.
“Sometimes we find too much complacency when people live or visit our small communities,” McLaughlin added.
“You can’t take a holiday from good decisions on our roads.”
Police are reminding drivers that even short trips in quieter areas can carry serious consequences if impaired driving is involved.
