Holiday Counter-In Surrey-White- Rock In Full Effect

SURREY – With the holiday season nowin full swing, the Surrey and White-RockRCMP have partnered with ICBC in theirannual CounterAttack enforcement campaignto remind motorists about the dangersof impaired driving.It began on December 27that 9:00 pm in White-Rockand Surrey and RCMPTraffic Services will be focusingtheir enforcement on16th Avenue (North Bluff)near the 15400-14800 blockrange area and will continue.“If your festivities involvealcohol, arrange for a designateddriver or use other safeoptions including calling a taxi or a soberfriend, taking transit, or using OperationRed Nose,” said Cpl. Bert Paquet.”There are so many options available toyou. Don’t let your own decision ruin theholidays for you and your family.””We want everyone to enjoy a safe holidayseason so make sure you plan for asafe ride home before you head out,”said, Karen Klein, local ICBC road safetycoordinator. “Ask yourself if it’s yourturn to be the designated driver. Whetheryou’re attending a holiday get-together ormeeting friends to watch a game, sharethe responsibility to help your friendsand family get home safely.”So far in December, fifty ImmediateRoadside Prohibitions havebeen handed out by SurreyTraffic Services officers, aswell as twenty-five 24 hourroadside prohibitions foralcohol and drugs.Police will be issuing a rangeof penalties for impaireddrivers including Immediateroadside prohibitions thatinclude 24-hour to 90-daydriving suspensions, vehicle impoundments,administrative driving prohibitions,fines, potential jail time, mandatoryrehabilitation, and the installation ofignition interlock in your vehicle.Impaired driving is still the leading criminalcause of death in Canada.During the month of December, anaverage of five people are killed in crashesin BC where impaired driving is a contributingfactor.