Story and video by Gary Moore

It seems some people are not getting the message.

Within minutes of Castanet arriving at a police road block, someone had been investigated for drinking and driving.

"Unfortunately, we do still come across drunk drivers. For example, tonight we have already investigated one drunk driving case so far since the start of this road block. And seized a small amount of marijuana from another vehicle." Const. Jesse O'Donaghey told Castanet.   

As part of the National Impaired Driving Campaign (NIDC), RCMP and MADD Canada Central Okanagan volunteers teamed up at Clement on the Bernard overpass Saturday night to get impaired drivers off the road - and hand out swag to sober citizens.

Carol Fazekas, past president of MADD Central Okanagan Chapter, was on hand not only to hand out goodies, but educate the public.

"With the long weekend and the summer months ahead we are trying to educate people about the tragic consequences of drinking and driving. We want to ensure that as the roads and waterways  become busier, that people who are planning to consume alcohol or use drugs that they plan ahead to have a safe ride home."

O'Donaghey has a warning to people getting behind the wheel impaired.

"The (NIDC) is ongoing all year long. Our Municipal Traffic Section, our Integrated Road Safety Unit and our Central Okanagan Traffic Services focus mainly on impaired drivers and they are great at what they do."

Photo: Gary Moore