North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP front-line officers were busier than usual getting impaired drivers’ off the roadways, with public assistance, during a 24-hour period July 13-14.
Sometimes during regular patrols, police officers observe erratic driving behaviour that alerts them to a potentially dangerous driver. Other times that erratic driving behaviour is reported to police by concerned citizens.
Thanks to the alertness of several community members, and the quick response by Duncan/North Cowichan RCMP, six drivers believed to be impaired by drugs or alcohol were taken off the roads that weekend. Three drivers were issued 90-day immediate roadside prohibitions, two drivers received three-day immediate roadside prohibitions, and one driver was issued a 90-day prohibition for refusing to provide a breath sample. This is noticeably more offenses than most other 24-hour periods.
“Our officers are committed to keeping our roads safer. Thanks to timely reporting, and the quick response of our police officers, we were able to get six dangerous drivers off of our roadways this weekend,” noted Sgt. Adam Tallboy, Watch Commander, Duncan/North Cowichan RCMP.
“We rely on citizen input and cooperation to continue allowing us to provide the best possible service standard to the Cowichan Valley. We want to encourage anyone who suspects someone is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol to notify us so that we can take quick action to respond.”
Each year in B.C., 68 people die in crashes involving impaired driving, with half of those deaths occurring during the summer months.