Drunk Driving Crackdown

Written by Peter McIntyre Friday, 03 July 2009 10:28

With the numbers rising, a summer crackdown on impaired driving has been launched.

ICBC's Alyson Gourley-Cramer tells KISS FM,  drunk driving cases levelled off in the 90's,  but have been increasing since 2002.

"The demographic we're most concerned about is males. They account for 81 percent of all impaired drivers and alcohol related crashes, and sadly, the 16 to 25 year old age group is the highest risk group for impaired drivers."

ICBC and the police are teaming up to hold ongoing road checks.

Gourley-Cramer says, "It's summer and we understand it's BBQ season, there's road trips and trips to the lake, that sort of thing and often alcohol is involved. We'll be ramping up our enforcement in the whole province so you'll see lots of road checks when you least expect them. If you plan on drinking and driving, you can plan on getting caught."

There's an average of 5,100 booze related crashes each year in BC, causing 116 deaths.

"In Vernon, over the last five years, we've seen on average 88 (alcohol related) crashes with 52 injuries and two deaths, every year."

 ICBC stats show the most dangerous time to be on the roads is between 9pm and 3am on weekends, when most of the alcohol related crashes occur.