Last Saturday, December 7, was National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day and RCMP across the province conducted road checks.

In Kimberley, says Cpl. Chris Newel, there were three road checks for a total of nine man hours. One ASD test was given, but there were no impaired drivers. In Cranbrook, 20 vehicles were checked with two screening tests given  and passed.

East Kootenay Traffic Services and the East Kootenay IRSU checked 500 vehicles, with 30 screening tests. Everybody passed those tests, reported Cpl. Robert Mc Donald from “E” Division RCMP Traffic Services.

However, across the province McDonald calls the results “disappointing”.

“Despite the publicity of the event, and education of the dangers of impaired driving, too many drivers still chose to get behind the wheel of their vehicle after consuming drugs or alcoholic beverages,” he said.

Results from the 97 B.C. detachments were as follows:

• 32,877 vehicles checked

•  Five Impaired Driving charges under the Criminal Code of Canada

•  104 90-days Immediate Road Side Prohibitions with 30 vehicles impounded

• 94 warn results with either 3/7/30 day Immediate Road Side Prohibitions

• 17 Roadside suspensions for Drugs

This weekend and through the holiday season, parties and social gatherings abound, and Macdonald says police will be out in force.

“We want everyone to enjoy the festive season, and to police themselves when it comes to consuming alcohol, but if they can’t the police will be there to do it for them.”