Saanich Police Officers have seen an increase in impaired drivers in 2024, particularly in July and August. As of August 31, 2024, we have stopped 464 impaired drivers, nearly matching the total of 468 in all of 2023, with four months remaining in the year.
From July 1st to August 31st, 2024, Saanich officers stopped 144 impaired drivers at counterattack roadblocks or other traffic stops. This represents almost one third of the year’s total number of impaired drivers in just two months.
Of those drivers:
Under the IRP rule, a driver’s license is not returned; the driver needs to seek a new license through ICBC.
- 27 lost their license for 24 hours.
- 40 lost their license for 3 days.
- 1 lost their license for 7 days.
- 1 lost their license for 30 days.
- 65 lost their license for 90 days.
We impounded ninety-four vehicles over that two-month period.
The 65 drivers who lost their license for 90 days either blew a FAIL or refused to provide a breath sample to our officers. This is 30 more than the 35 drivers our officers dealt with in same period in 2023. In total, we have already stopped 200 drivers who have either blown FAIL or refused in 2024 which is 25 more than the 175 caught in all of 2023.
“It’s concerning that drivers continue to get behind the wheel of a vehicle impaired and endanger not only their lives, but the lives of everyone else in our community,” said Chief Constable Dean Duthie. “Our department is committed to taking these dangerous drivers off the road and will continue to deploy resources to stop this selfish behaviour. To would-be impaired drivers: there is no excuse for driving impaired, and when you are caught, you will face the consequences.”
The number of impaired drivers caught in 2024, and in particular the months of July and August, are a direct and proactive response from our Department to curb the rise in impaired driving. Saanich Police will continue to operate counterattack roadblocks and conduct traffic stops to catch these dangerous drivers and keep our community safe.
Additional July/August Impaired Driving Statistics
- 6 drivers were impaired by drugs.
- 7 drivers had class 7 licenses.
- 7 drivers were subject to the Interlock Program.
Consequences of Driving Impaired
If you are caught driving impaired, you may be subject to the following:
Under Section 215 of the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA):
- officers have the right to suspend a driver’s license for 24hrs if they believe the driver to be impaired.
Under the Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) rule:
- 3-day WARN: breath sample registered WARN – license seized vehicle impounded for 3-day
- 7-day WARN: breath sample registered WARN / second time in 5 years – license seized vehicle impounded for 7-days
- 30-day WARN: breath sample registered WARN / third time in 5 years – license seized vehicle impounded for 30-days
- 90-day FAIL/REFUSE: breath sample registered FAIL or driver REFUSED to provide – license seized for 90-days vehicle impounded for 30-days.
Note:
- Under section 215 or the MVA, a driver can reclaim a license from the police department that seized it.
- Under the IRP rule, a driver’s license is not returned; the driver needs to seek a new license through ICBC.
Jason Hallman | Communications Advisor