Salmon Arm RCMP statistics show the message not to drink and drive is still not getting through.
Last Monday, Staff Sgt. Kevin Keane gave his year-end report to city council. Coun. Alan Harrison noted how overall, the numbers for 2012 were pretty consistent with 2011. What did catch the councillor’s attention was the 24 per cent increase in the number those cited with impaired driving, from 156 to 194.
“It amazes me, 200 impaired charges in the city last year. It’s not one a day, but it’s almost one a day,” commented Harrison.
Asked if people are drinking and driving more, Keane said it’s difficult to gauge.
“I can tell you this, if we removed that many vehicles off the road, to me it just doesn’t seem like a good thing,” said Keane. “We need more education out there – people just aren’t getting it.”
Coun. Ken Jamieson questioned how the recent loosening of laws related to immediate roadside suspensions has impacted policing. Keane likened it to a tool that was given to the force and then taken away.
“When we have the tool, it makes it very easy for us to say yes, you did this and off you go,” said Keane.