Attorney General
The original edition of this news release, published Dec. 1, 2015, can be found here: http://www.icbc.com/about-icbc/newsroom/Pages/2015-Dec1.aspx
While attitudes toward drinking and driving have changed considerably over the years, 86 lives are still lost every year in B.C., representing more than a quarter of all car crash fatalities.*
That's why the B.C. government, police and ICBC are urging drivers to plan ahead and make smart decisions to get home safely this holiday season. Since the beginning of December, CounterAttack roadchecks have been set up by police throughout the province to keep impaired drivers off our roads.
ICBC is helping to prevent impaired driving this December with an education campaign, funding for CounterAttack roadchecks and promotion of designated drivers with businesses, sports facilities and community groups.
It's also the 20th year that ICBC has supported Operation Red Nose (operationrednose.com) , a volunteer service in 25 B.C. communities that provides safe rides to drivers who have been drinking or feel too tired to drive during the holidays. This service will be available on New Year's Eve.
Get more stats and facts from ICBC's infographic (icbc.com) and learn more about the CounterAttack campaign (icbc.com) on icbc.com
Quotes:
Suzanne Anton, Minister of Justice -
"We've made significant progress but too many people are still losing their lives due to impaired driving. CounterAttack remains a key part of our provincial enforcement strategy and further reducing crashes involving alcohol and drugs makes our roads safer for British Columbians."
Chief Constable Neil Dubord, chair of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee -
"Every holiday season we see people who think they're okay to drive but end up causing life-changing crashes. That's why officers across the province are dedicated to keeping impaired drivers off our roads. We can all help prevent these crashes by always planning a safe ride home. Plan ahead!"
Mark Blucher, ICBC's president and CEO -
"We want everyone to enjoy a safe holiday season with their family and friends so make sure you plan ahead for a safe ride home. Whether you're attending a holiday get-together or meeting friends to watch a game, take your turn as the designated driver, call a taxi, take transit or use Operation Red Nose."
Statistics:*
During the month of December, an average of four people are killed in impaired-related crashes every year in B.C.
On average, 23 people are killed in crashes involving impaired driving in the Lower Mainland every year.
On average, 29 people are killed in crashes involving impaired driving in the Southern Interior every year.
On average, 13 people are killed in crashes involving impaired driving on Vancouver Island every year.
On average, 22 people are killed in crashes involving impaired driving in North Central B.C. every year.
* Based on five-year average. Crashes and injured victims from ICBC data (2009 to 2013); fatal victims from police data (2009 to 2013). Impaired is defined to include alcohol, illicit drugs and medicines.
