By Dave Branco

Drinking and driving

RCMP targets holiday office parties in the drive against impaired driving

Dec 18, 2023 | 2:54 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The RCMP has designated impaired driving as a top operational focus throughout the holiday season. Police are actively developing strategies to extend their efforts against impaired driving into daylight hours, given that some individuals tend to drive under the influence after festive office celebrations.

It’s mid-December, and the holiday season is officially upon us. It’s also the season of Christmas parties, family functions and New Year’s celebrations. It’s also an opportunity for some to consume alcohol at work with co-workers before heading home for the evening. RCMP are aware of this behaviour.

“ So we do have multiple campaigns staged throughout December just to try and catch impaired drivers at what we think is kind of the peak times for office or home parties.” CPL. Jennifer Cooper

Suppose you’ve consumed alcohol or drugs within three hours of driving, and an officer has grounds to suspect their presence. In that case, you may be asked to provide a breath or oral fluid sample roadside or undergo field sobriety testing.

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“We look for things like dilated pupils. Perhaps they have an odour of liquor or other intoxicants on them, slurring their speech and inability to control their fine motor skills because that’s something that drivers or impaired drivers tend to lose quickly.” CPL. Jennifer Cooper

According to RCMP, some drivers choose to ignore the warnings, disobey the law and drive drunk or impaired.

After an arrest, the driver is typically taken to a police detachment or medical facility to undergo additional testing.

Email: Dave.Branco@pattisonmedia.com

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