Holiday CounterAttack roadchecks start this weekend

November 30, 2023

ICBC and police are launching a month-long education and enforcement campaign to combat impaired driving on B.C. roads this holiday season.

As nearly one quarter (21%) of all car crash fatalities in B.C. involve impaired driving, ICBC and police are urging drivers to plan a safe ride home this holiday season. If your plans involve alcohol or other drugs, plan ahead to get home safe – use a designated driver, call a taxi or rideshare, or take transit.

Starting this weekend, police will be ramping up enforcement, looking for impaired drivers at CounterAttack roadchecks throughout the province.

ICBC has led impaired driving education campaigns and funded CounterAttack enhanced police enforcement for over 40 years. Learn more facts and tips in ICBC’s infographic.

ICBC is also a proud partner of Operation Red Nose which provides a safe ride home to anyone who is feeling unfit to drive. Operation Red Nose operates on Friday and Saturday nights in various B.C. communities until December 31.

Quotes

Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General

“If your holiday celebrations involve alcohol or drugs, make the responsible choice to plan a safe ride home before the celebrations begin. Planning ahead is the key to preventing impaired driving. Save lives – take a taxi, ride share, ride transit, or arrange a designated driver.”

Shabnem Afzal, ICBC’s director of road safety

"Impaired driving crashes are completely preventable. We can all do our part to prevent tragedies on our roads this holiday season. By choosing a safe ride home, you’re helping to keep our roads safer for everyone, including yourself and your passengers.”

Superintendent Dale Carr, Operations Officer, BC Highway Patrol

“There is never an excuse to drive while impaired. Not only is impaired driving illegal, but it is extremely dangerous, and the impact of impaired driving crashes impacts entire families and communities throughout the province. Please don’t mark this time of year with a tragedy. Make the responsible choice – don’t drive after using drugs or alcohol. Arrange for a safe ride home and enjoy the holidays for years to come.”

Statistics:*

• On average, 61 people are killed and 1,404 people are injured in 2,415 impaired driving related crashes in B.C. every year.

• On average, 17 people are killed and 600 injured in 1,109 impaired driving related crashes in the Lower Mainland every year.

• On average, 10 people are killed and 305 injured in 520 impaired driving related crashes on Vancouver Island every year.

• On average, 23 people are killed and 344 injured in 563 impaired driving related crashes in the Southern Interior every year.

• On average, 13 people are killed and 155 injured in 223 impaired driving related crashes in North Central B.C. every year.

**Injuries and crashes are police data, five-year average 2018 to 2022. Fatal victim counts are police data, five-year average 2018 to 2022. Impaired is defined to include alcohol, illicit drugs and medicines.