July is counter attack month in Sooke. Have you encountered them yet?
It’s not personal. It’s not to make just you late for an event. July is counter attack month in Sooke and throughout BC. It’s an annual campaign run by ICBC. Following is the press release from ICBC.
July is counter attack month in Sooke. During the summer months, one person is killed every three days in impaired-related crashes in B.C. That’s why the B.C. government, ICBC and police will be kicking off the CounterAttack campaign on July 1st to keep impaired drivers off our roads this summer.
Did you know? Since CounterAttack started in 1976, fatalities in BC have dropped from 300 to 63 in 2013.
Whether you’re out golfing, boating or at a BBQ with friends, everyone needs to plan ahead for a safe ride home this summer – arrange a designated driver, call a taxi or take transit. Police will be looking for impaired drivers at CounterAttack roadchecks across the province.
[sam id=”15″ codes=”true”]With so many options to get home safely, there is no excuse to drive while impaired. But some drivers still aren’t getting the message – here are the top excuses given by impaired drivers to police at CounterAttack roadchecks:- “My girlfriend was too drunk to make it home from the bar, so I’m going to pick her up.”
- “I’m an idiot!”
- “But I have a driver’s licence, no one else had a driver’s licence!”
- “I don’t feel drunk!”
- “I’m only two blocks from home.”
- “Mom told me to bring the truck home.”
- “I had to pick up my husband.”
ICBC supports CounterAttack with funding for enhanced police enforcement and an education campaign which promotes the use of designated drivers. Learn interesting facts in ICBC’sinfographic and get tips on icbc.com.
“We want everyone to enjoy their summer and have a good time – just make sure to include a plan for a safe ride home,” said Lindsay Matthews, ICBC’s director responsible for road safety. “Share the responsibility of being the designated driver to make sure your friends and family get home safe this summer.”
Regional statistics*:
- In B.C., an average of 42 people are killed in impaired-related crashes during the summer months every year. That’s one person killed every three days.
- On Vancouver Island, an average of six people are killed in impaired-related crashes during the summer months every year.
* Five year average from June to September. Fatal victim counts are from police data (2009 to 2013); crashes and injured victim counts are from ICBC data (2009 to 2013). Impaired is defined to include alcohol, illicit drugs and medicines.
Resources
- Original press release from ICBC
- Impaired driving in B.C. infographic
- Impaired driving fact sheet
- Bob’s Sooke Harbour Taxi: (250) 642-7900
The consumption of any form of alcohol has been the cause of so much suffering. How about taking responsibility for your own health and, in return, make life safer for everyone. In other words – YOU DON’T NEED IT FOLKS!