VANCOUVER, Dec. 1 /CNW/ - The Province, police and ICBC are reminding drivers to plan ahead and make smart decisions to get home safely this holiday season.
Starting today and throughout December, police will be setting up CounterAttack roadchecks across the province to raise awareness and help reduce impaired driving crashes. On average, 133 lives are lost and 3,400 people are injured in approximately 5,600 impaired-related crashes each year.*
"We want everyone to enjoy their holiday festivities in the company of good friends and family," said Solicitor General Rich Coleman. "So it's important to be responsible and plan ahead. No one should ever have to deal with losing a loved one to an impaired driver. By making the right choices, we can all help prevent lives from being lost on our roads."
ICBC supports CounterAttack through enhanced police enforcement and an awareness campaign, which includes TV and radio advertising. ICBC also provides businesses, sports facilities and community groups with CounterAttack materials to help raise awareness and prevent impaired driving.
"We're committed to doing everything we can to help keep impaired drivers off our roads," said RCMP Superintendent Mike Diack. "We'll be out there setting up roadchecks in communities across the province because we know all too well the tragic impact of impaired driving."
"ICBC invests in road safety programs because safer roads benefit everyone," said Jon Schubert, ICBC's President and CEO. "We can all do our part - enjoy your parties and family gatherings during the holiday season by planning ahead and making smart decisions."
ICBC also supports Operation Red Nose, a volunteer service in 17 communities across B.C. that provides safe rides home to drivers who have been drinking or feel unfit to drive during the holiday season.
For more information on impaired driving, visit http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/osmv/impaired-driving/index.htm. For holiday season safety tips, visit icbc.com.
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*Annual averages from 2005-2008 police-reported data. Impaired-driving related data includes alcohol, illegal drugs and medicine.
For further information:
| Media contacts: |
Adam Grossman, 604-982-1332 Mark Jan Vrem, 604-982-2476 |
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