A joint force operation between the BC Highway Patrol and Mounties in Tofino and Ucluelet produced significant results late last month.
The BCHP says hundreds of vehicles are checked during the single-day enforcement action on March 27, with dozens of drivers being asked to provide breath samples or perform a field sobriety test.
According to police, those efforts produced 19 total impaired drivers – 14 by alcohol and five by drugs.
“The impaired drivers were roughly a 50/50 split between locals and visitors,” explained Cpl. Michael McLaughlin. “That means everyone needs to make better decisions. Plan a safe ride home no matter who you are.”
McLaughlin added that sometimes the BCHP finds “too much complacency” when people live in or visit British Columbia’s small communities.
“You can’t take a holiday from good decisions on our roads,” he said. “You need to plan ahead even if you don’t have far to go or the roads aren’t as busy.”
Along with the 19 impaired drivers being taken off the road, officers also issued 94 violation tickets during the one-day operation and two charges were laid for driving while prohibited.
