Police made contact with thousands of drivers across Vancouver Island last week as part of the BC Highway Patrol’s “Light Up the Province” campaign targeting impaired driving.
Data from B.C. RCMP shows 13,500 drivers passed through 16 Vancouver Island check stops on Dec. 5 and 6.
The operation resulted in 18 roadside prohibitions and 112 tickets.
Province‑wide, officers checked more than 52,000 vehicles last weekend, leading to 190 prohibitions — a drop from 222 prohibitions after 43,000 vehicles were checked during the campaign’s equivalent event last year.
“Most drivers are supportive of police efforts to keep impaired drivers off the road, even though check stops can be an inconvenience,” said Inspector Adam Tallboy of BC Highway Patrol. “Mandatory alcohol screening continues to be a great tool, as multiple impaired drivers were pulled off the road even though they did not show any symptoms until they were breath tested.”
