In 2024, Saanich Police stopped 628 impaired drivers, the highest number since the Province instituted the use of the Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) program. This surpasses the previous record of 468 impaired drivers stopped in 2023.
Penalties incurred by Drivers in 2024:
- 110 lost their license for 24hrs related to alcohol
- 43 lost their license for 24hrs related to drugs
- 178 lost their license for 3-days (IRP)
- 11 lost their license for 7-days (IRP)
- 2 lost their license for 30-days (IRP)
- 278 lost their license for 90-days (IRP – 103 more than in 2023)
Note: All drivers subject to an IRP had their vehicles impounded for 3 to 30 days.
The 90-day FAIL/Refuse IRP category saw the largest increase over 2023. These drivers either failed a roadside screening device or refused to provide a breath sample, resulting in a 90-days license suspension and a 30-day vehicle impoundment.
Of the impaired drivers we stopped, 37 (13% of the yearly total) held a class 7 license. 18 were subject to driving prohibitions. 10 were currently subject to the interlock program, and 21 had completed the interlock program.
“While I recognize and commend our officers for their commitment, hard work, and dedication to ensure that Saanich Streets are safe, setting records for impaired drivers caught in back-to-back years is very concerning,” said Chief Constable Dean Duthie. “Impaired driving is selfish and endangers everyone in our community – there are many safe options available for people such as public transit, ridesharing, and identifying a designated driver. It just requires some planning and responsibility. The Saanich Police will continue to allocate the necessary resources to take impaired drivers off our streets and ensure they face the consequences of their dangerous decisions and actions.”
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