233159
230128

Kelowna  

Don't get behind wheel

Alanna Kelly

Kelowna police have an important message for you this holiday season. They'll be out in full force catching impaired drivers – and if you're thinking of having a drink or consuming cannabis, don’t get behind the wheel.

Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey says if you are attending holiday parties, make sure to plan for a safe ride home. 

“There are impaired drivers everywhere, and it’s just a matter of that enforcement being successful,” said O’Donaghey. 

Just because enforcement ramps up this time of year, doesn't mean there are more drunk drivers.

O’Donaghey says there have been a number of serious collisions lately that have involved alleged impaired drivers who have seriously injured others.

“It is a high priority for us,” he said. “It is a difficult thing to witness, but very rewarding when we are able to remove these drivers from the road.”

Counterattack road checks are taking place all across the Okanagan. 

“At any time during the holiday season they may encounter one of our counterattack road checks,” said O’Donaghey. 

Drivers could be asked to perform a roadside sobriety test or screening device check. If found to be impaired, they may be taken back to the detachment for further testing. 

Drivers could face a number of consequences "from Criminal Code charges right through prohibitions under the Motor Vehicle Act."

If you witness a drunk driver, call police. For more information on charges, visit this link



More Kelowna News