Holiday CounterAttack roadchecks start this weekend

November 30, 2022

ICBC and police are urging drivers to be responsible and plan for a safe ride home, as the December CounterAttack campaign kicks off this weekend.

Sadly, impaired driving still claims the lives of 64 people every year in B.C.*

If your holiday festivities involve alcohol, plan ahead to get home safely. If you've been drinking, don't drive. Use a designated driver, call a taxi or rideshare, take transit or use Operation Red Nose.

Police will be looking for impaired drivers at CounterAttack roadchecks set up throughout the province this holiday season. Police will also be rewarding designated drivers at many of these roadchecks with coffee vouchers donated by McDonald's.

ICBC and police conduct two impaired driving education and enhanced enforcement campaigns every year to help create safer roads in B.C. Learn more facts and tips in ICBC's infographic.

Quotes:

Chief Constable Neil Dubord, Chair of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee

"The annual December impaired driving campaign is an important initiative bringing public awareness to the dangers of impaired driving. This collaboration between the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police members, the Province and ICBC emphasizes how effective partnerships are working to keep our highways and communities safe.”​

​Lindsay Matthews, ICBC's Vice-President of Customer Experience & Public Affairs, responsible for road safety

“When you drink and drive, you not only risk your life but the lives of others on the road. We want everyone to enjoy a safe holiday season this year. If your festivities include alcohol, please be responsible, plan ahead and leave your car at home. Use a designated driver, call a taxi or rideshare, take transit or use Operation Red Nose. We all need to do our part to save lives and prevent crashes."

Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General

“Driving impaired after drinking alcohol is dangerous and a crime. Unfortunately, there are still those willing to take a chance with their own lives, the lives of their passengers and the lives of other road users. If you have consumed alcohol – stay off our roads. If you instead choose to put yourself and others at risk, consider yourself warned: the police are out there with stepped-up enforcement."

Regional statistics:*​

• On average, 17 people are killed and 690 injured in 1,200 impaired driving related crashes in the Lower Mainland every year.

• On average, 11 people are killed and 310 injured in 550 impaired driving related crashes on Vancouver Island every year.

• On average, 25 people are killed and 360 injured in 600 impaired driving related crashes in the Southern Interior every year.

• On average, 13 people are killed and 170 injured in 250 impaired driving related crashes in North Central B.C. every year.

Editor's note:

Lower Mainland media will be invited by BC Highway Patrol to a one-day blitz on December 3. Police detachments throughout B.C. will also invite media to events in their communities throughout the month.

*Injuries and crashes are police data, five-year average 2017 to 2021. Fatal victim counts are police data, five-year average 2017 to 2021. Impaired is defined to include alcohol, illicit drugs and medicines.