Three Yukoners charged with drunk driving within half hour

Whitehorse RCMP say they arrested and charged three impaired drivers in less than half an hour on Saturday afternoon.

Cpl. Shawn Pollard says it's a huge concern because the incidents occurred at one of the busiest times of the day. One was involved in a collision on Falcon Drive in the Copper Ridge neighbourhood.

Pollard says there were young children nearby, but no injuries.

Benita Sarana witnessed the aftermath, including her wrecked vehicle.

"Unfortunately from what we heard, the guys, they were both drunk, impaired and my vehicle looks like it's going to be a write off. Theirs didn't have much damage - it's a big Ford truck - but my Pathfinder is gone, it's done. Drive safer, no drinking and driving, watch where you're going, watch your kids," Sarana says.

The arrests come just as the Whitehorse chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving launched its annual Red Ribbon Campaign Monday morning.

People are asked to display a red ribbon as a symbol of the commitment to sober driving, and a reminder that deaths and injuries caused by impaired driving are preventable. 

Amanda Price is the president of MADD Whitehorse. She says she would like to see the ribbons displayed year round and not just during the holiday season.  

"It's a commitment and it's not restricted to Nov. 1 to Jan. 5," Price says.
 
"If you have that desire in your heart to make that commitment all year round, we're more than happy to see those ribbons flying around Whitehorse," she says.

The Yukon has the highest rate of impaired driving in Canada.  Price says programs like the Red Ribbon Campaign are important tools in educating people about the dangers of drunk driving.