The end of May is the start of the outdoor season in B.C. – backyard barbecues, golfing with buddies, trips to the beach or hanging out on a patio.
Many of these events include the consumption of alcohol and the summer months see an increase in vehicle crashes caused by impaired drivers.
The BCAA Road Safety Foundation has a message – if you consume alcohol or drugs do not get behind the steering wheel of a vehicle.
“It is unacceptable that on average two people die each week in our province due to impaired drivers,” said Allan Lamb, foundation president. “It is also unacceptable that 4,400 alcohol-related collisions are reported each year. It is imperative that those numbers go down significantly. We as a community are responsible for bringing an end to impaired driving.”
The bulk of the responsibility is the driver’s, but it is also the responsibility of hosts, friends and family not to let an individual drive a vehicle if they are suspected of being impaired by alcohol or drugs.
More information about impaired driving is available at www.bcaaroadsafety.com.