South Okanagan road checks seeing fewer impaired drivers so far this holiday season

PENTICTON – The South Okanagan RCMP are getting an early Christmas present after finding fewer impaired drivers on the region’s streets and highways so far this holiday season.

Cpl. Ryan McLeod with South Okanagan Traffic Services says his unit is experiencing results similar to the Penticton RCMP detachment’s seasonal roadside counterattack program, with fewer impaired drivers detected.

McLeod says his unit participated in national impaired driver enforcement night on Dec. 2.

“Ten or 11 officers took part in the blitz, rounding up five impaired drivers in the South Okanagan. That includes Penticton, Summerland, Oliver, Osoyoos and Keremeos, six communities with only five impaired drivers – that’s not bad, statistically,” McLeod says. “People are getting the message, although there are still impaired drivers out there."

He believes the number of impaired drivers is down over last year.

Like the Penticton detachment, McLeod says his unit also found “a ton of designated drivers” while conducting roadside checks this year.

The program will continue in the South Okanagan through the holiday season and into the New Year.

McLeod says December weather has also been cooperating with police and motorists, with fewer motor vehicle collisions due to a lack of snow so far.

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