‘Unusually high’ number of drunk drivers; roadblocks will continue

Port Moody Police had a busy time Saturday night checking vehicles in the city’s CounterAttack blitz.

Officers from the PMPD and the regional Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU) were stationed on Murray Street, David Avenue and the Barnet Highway, and checked between 200 and 300 vehicles for drunk drivers and other violations.

Eight people were charged with impaired driving.

“It’s unusually high,” said PMPD spokesperson Const. Bill Kim. “We’ve been pretty proactive getting the message out in the last number of years. Unfortunately, some individuals are still not aware that drinking and driving is not allowed.”

Drunk driving accounts for more than 100 deaths on B.C. roads every year. About 26% of road fatalities are related to drinking and driving, and it costs ICBC and drivers more than $140 million in claims costs.

“The Port Moody Police take drinking and driving very seriously, especially during the holiday season,” Kim said. “We want everyone to celebrate the holiday season in moderation, and if there are individuals who do drink in excess, hopefully they have good friends that can help them so they don’t drink and drive.”

Police will be checking drivers throughout December. Penalties can include roadside suspensions and vehicle impoundment as well as 90-day driving prohibitions, fines, mandatory rehabilitation, criminal charges and jail time.