Drunk drivers getting the message – mostly

PENTICTON – Penticton RCMP are finding their message is hitting home this holiday season, but say they won’t be letting up on random roadside checks throughout the holiday season.

Police spokesperson Cpl. Ted Manchulenko says word amongst the region’s counterattack road check officers is, for the most part, people are being responsible, and drivers are staying sober this year.

“We’ve been pretty fortunate, people are being responsible and that’s what we want to see. Vehicles are full of happy people and the driver is sober,” he said.

Manchulenko did note one exception following a police investigation of a vehicle that left the roadway and plunged down an embankment on White Lake Road on Dec. 5.

The 31-year-old woman was extricated from the vehicle by a passer-by, but she was later found to be impaired and is facing charges.

There were no serious injuries reported, but the 2009 Nissan was a write off.

Manchulenko noted counterattack road checks will continue at random hours throughout the day, at random points throughout the city and region with South Okanagan Traffic Services and the Penticton detachment conducting the checks throughout the holiday season.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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