RCMP caught 267 impaired drivers on B.C. highways in December

RCMP say 267 impaired drivers were taken off B.C. highways in December, averaging one driver caught every three hours of the month.

The actual number of impaired drivers across the province is likely much higher though, RCMP say, as the December data only includes those caught by B.C. Highway Patrol — which covers most major highways outside of city centres and some major highways in Metro Vancouver. 

The figure does not include impaired drivers caught by municipal police departments or RCMP detachments with their own traffic enforcement units. 

"As a province, we need to get those numbers much closer to zero," said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin, media relations officer with B.C. Highway Patrol.

"Two-hundred and sixty-seven is too high." 

The breakdown by region is as follows: 

• North (100 Mile House and north, excluding Clearwater): 52 prohibitions.
• Southeast central (including Vernon, Kelowna, Kamloops and Clearwater): 81 prohibitions.
• Lower Mainland (including Pemberton to Hope): 45 prohibitions.
• Southeast Kootenay (including Revelstoke, Salmon Arm, Grand Forks, east to Alberta): 36 prohibitions.
• Vancouver Island: 53 prohibitions.

McLaughlin said these numbers are somewhat consistent with what officers have seen in previous years. 

"The numbers really aren't trending down, which is something we'd like to change," he said. 

The data was collected during the RCMP's impaired driving campaign, which runs during the two busiest times of year for impaired driving — in December, and in the summer between late June and August. 

Dozens of impaired driving deaths in B.C. each year

Of fatal crashes in the province, 21 per cent involve impaired driving, according to ICBC data. On average, 63 people die in crashes involving impaired driving every year. 

McLaughlin said people can do their part by taking personal responsibility and planning ahead if they intend to drink or consume other substances. That can mean using transit, ordering a taxi or rideshare, or making someone the designated driver. 

"Don't assume the rules and the laws don't apply to you, too many people think that they are the exception," he said. 

He also said people should try to prevent impaired driving by being a voice of reason to friends, family and colleagues. And if you see a driver you think may be impaired, to call 911 right away. 

"This is a crime that affects all of us with devastating consequences." 

'So many that didn't make it'

Burnaby resident Marita Maas was hit head-on by an impaired driver in Port Moody in April 2007. The accident left her with several broken bones and other injuries, requiring multiple surgeries. 

"You never think it's going to happen to you until one day it does."

Maas said hearing the numbers are not going down is disappointing. 

"I just wish it wouldn't keep happening," she said. "I'm still here to tell the story, but there's so many that didn't make it." 

She said there was another driver present behind the impaired car that hit her in 2007, and urges people who see drivers they suspect may be impaired to call 911. 

"Had they been able to make a call to 911 and get this person off the road, then this wouldn't have happened," she said. 

"I think about that all the time."