South Okanagan RCMP cracking down on impaired drivers

PENTICTON – RCMP in the South Okanagan are ramping up their Counter Attack road checks with the Christmas party season underway.

Officers from the Penticton detachment have joined forces with South Okanagan Traffic Services in effort to catch impaired drivers.

RCMP said in a media release they will not only be looking for drunk drivers, but those impaired by drugs as well.

There will be specially trained drug recognition experts ready to assess those drivers suspected of being impaired by drugs such as marijuana, police say.

“There are so many easy alternatives to getting around safely this season, there’s no reason to risk driving while impaired. Before going out this holiday season, plan for a safe ride home,” Const. James Grandy said in the release.

Grandy said a Counter Attack operation on Dec. 1 took 12 impaired drivers off the road.


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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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