In the first six months of 2025 Saanich Police officers took 229 impaired drivers off Saanich Streets. This is 91 less than the 320 stopped in the first six months of 2024, a year in which a record number 628 impaired drivers were caught.
Almost half (114) of the total number of impaired drivers stopped from January 1, 2025, to the end of June, received a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibitions (IRP). Drivers who receive a 90-day IRP have either blown a FAIL on an Approved Screening Device (ASD) or have refused to provide a breath sample.
Of the 229 impaired drivers caught:
182 IRPs were issues ranging from 3-days to 90-days. These drivers also had their vehicles impounded from 3-days to 30-days.
134 of the of the drivers were stopped between 8pm and 2am
44 drivers received 24-hrs licence suspension.
12 of the 229 individuals were impaired by drugs.
9 of the individuals who received a 90-day IRP held a Class 7 license.
6 had an invalid licence or no licence at all.
1 held a Class 1 licence and was caught operating a tractor trailer and was attempting to make a commercial delivery
In July and August Saanich Police officers will be conducting several counterattack roadblocks throughout the District. With so many options available, rideshare, cab, public transit, designated driver, there is no excuse to get behind the wheel while impaired by drugs or alcohol. If you choose to drive impaired, when you are caught you will face the consequences.
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 licence for 24hrs if they believe the driver to be impaired.
Under the Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) rule:
- 3-day WARN: breath sample registered WARN – licence seized vehicle impounded for 3-day
- 7-day WARN: breath sample registered WARN / second time in 5 years – licence seized vehicle impounded for 7-days
- 30-day WARN: breath sample registered WARN / third time in 5 years – licence seized vehicle impounded for 30-days
- 90-day FAIL/REFUSE: breath sample registered FAIL or driver REFUSED to provide – licence seized for 90-days vehicle impounded for 30-days.
Note:
- Under section 215 or the MVA, a driver can reclaim a licence 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 licence through ICBC.
Jason Hallman | Communications Advisor