Those blue and red flashing lights may appear to be festive, but if you’ve chosen to get behind the wheel after drinking, they may signal a very unhappy Christmas.
If you are planning to attend a Christmas party where the celebrations include the consumption of alcohol, plan ahead and don’t get behind the wheel, warn police
“It’s disheartening that some people still don’t get the message,” Cpl. Dawn Gilhen of the Sooke RCMP said.
“I know what the thought process is for some. They think that they’ve had something to eat, and maybe it’s been an hour or two since their last drink, so they think they’re OK to drive,” Gilhen said.
But that thought process is skewed because you have been drinking.
“You can’t count on that to make your decision to drive. That’s how you can get into a lot of trouble,” Gilhen said.
And trouble is exactly what two impaired drivers found recently when they were arrested at a roadside stop in Sooke.
“The answer is simple. If you know that you may be drinking or that drugs may be involved, use public transportation, or plan for a designated driver. And if you haven’t done that, call a cab,” Gilhen said.
About 70 people die each year in B.C, as a result of crashes related to impaired driving and those crashes account for a whopping 24 per cent of car crash fatalities.
“This holiday season let’s all stay safe. If you drink, don’t drive,” Gilhen said.
mailto:tim.collins@sookenewsmirror.com
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