The long weekend in Abbotsford, B.C. saw a concerning spike in drunk and drug-impaired driving, with 19 impaired drivers being caught by police, including 11 on Friday night alone. Abbotsford Police Department (APD) Sgt. Paul Walker expressed alarm at the unusually high number of impaired drivers in one weekend, with 650 impaired drivers having been taken off the roadways so far this year compared to 842 in all of 2023. As the holiday season approaches, police are urging drivers to plan ahead and avoid driving while impaired.
APD Chief Colin Watson emphasized the importance of safe streets free from impaired drivers and other unsafe driving behaviors. Operation Red Nose, a safe ride campaign that launched its 29th annual campaign in B.C., allows motorists to connect with volunteers who will drive them home in their own vehicle. The campaign runs by donation, with proceeds this year going towards the Traffic Circles Project – a joint initiative between APD and Restorative Justice aimed at offering young drivers caught breaking traffic laws an opportunity to take responsibility and understand safe driving habits.
Impaired drivers not only face fatal consequences but can also receive immediate roadside suspensions or even criminal charges. Sgt. Walker highlighted that extra officers will be deployed over the next several weeks to assist with the detection of impaired drivers, including the deployment of stationary roadblocks. The safe ride service offered by host organizations in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Kamloops, Prince George, and Williams Lake will be available from Nov. 29 to Dec. 31 to help prevent impaired driving incidents during the holiday season.
The alarming rise in drunk and drug-impaired driving over the long weekend in Abbotsford, B.C. has sparked concern among local authorities. APD Sgt. Paul Walker noted the unusually high number of 19 impaired drivers caught by police, with 11 being pulled over on Friday night alone. As the year progresses, police have already removed 650 impaired drivers from Abbotsford roadways, compared to 842 in all of 2023, prompting a call for drivers to plan ahead and avoid driving while impaired as the holiday season approaches.
The importance of safe streets, free from impaired drivers and unsafe driving behaviors, was emphasized by APD Chief Colin Watson. Operation Red Nose, a safe ride campaign that has launched its 29th annual campaign in B.C., provides motorists with the opportunity to connect with volunteers who can drive them home in their own vehicle. Donations from this year’s campaign will support the Traffic Circles Project, a joint initiative between APD and Restorative Justice aimed at educating young drivers caught breaking traffic laws about safe driving habits.
Impaired drivers not only face the risk of fatal consequences but also immediate roadside suspensions or criminal charges. Sgt. Walker highlighted the deployment of extra officers in the coming weeks to assist with detecting impaired drivers, including the use of stationary roadblocks. The safe ride service offered by host organizations in several cities, including Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Kamloops, Prince George, and Williams Lake, will be available from late November to December to provide a safe alternative to impaired driving during the holiday season.
