ICBC wants everyone to get home safe this holiday season

Don't drink and drive

The holiday season is underway and ICBC is reminding the public to ensure they have a plan to avoid drinking and driving.

"There are serious consequences if you drink and drive," said Laurie Baker, ICBC's manager of road safety.

"You could hurt or kill someone, you could lose your license or your car, have to spend time in jail, or pay stiff fines."

In 2004, 93 people were killed and approximately 3,200 people were injured in alcohol-related collisions, according to police-reported crash statistics.

If alcohol is a part of your holiday celebration, keep the following in mind:

• Plan ahead for a safe ride home.
• Arrange for a designated driver, use transit, set money aside for a cab or call a friend or family member for a ride.
• In some communities, volunteer drivers will take you and your vehicle home for a donation to a local charity. Operation Red Nose will operate this year in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Delta, Langley, Mission, North and West Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, Kamloops, Nanaimo and Prince George.
• Never get in a car with an impaired driver.
• There is no quick fix if you drink more than your limit. The only thing that reduces the effects of alcohol is time.

Throughout the province, police will be conducting drinking and driving CounterAttack road checks to ensure the roads stay safe. CounterAttack enforcement checks have been a part of the holiday season in B.C. since 1977.

This year's CounterAttack campaign for the holiday season runs from December 2 until January 2, 2006.

For more information contact:
Kate Best 604-982-2480

Even one or two drinks can impair your judgement. — December 8

Plan ahead for a safe ride home before you go to the party.

Lists, lists and more lists. They seem to go hand in hand with the holiday season. Shopping to do, errands to run and parties to attend. But arranging a safe ride home should be at the top of the list for everybody attending holiday parties this month

Many people will enjoy a drink or two at social gatherings and most people will feel fine to drive. But in fact - they can be impaired.

In 2004 in BC, alcohol was a contributing factor in more than 23 per cent of all police-reported motor vehicle fatal collisions. Approximately 3,200 people were injured and 93 people were killed in alcohol-related collisions. Alcohol-related casualty collisions are more likely to occur on weekends and peak between the hours of 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. (source: ICBC)

To help raise awareness, ICBC and Autoplan brokers have partnered to launch a public education campaign encouraging people to make plans in advance to get home safely. They are also working with more than 100 large employers in the Greater Vancouver region to deliver this important message to thousands of employees.

"Even a social drink at lunch with co-workers can impair your judgement," says ICBC Greater Vancouver Regional Loss Prevention Manager, Alison Hart "Nobody means to cause themselves or others harm, but that's the reality of it. There are serious legal consequences, but most of all, you or your passengers could be injured or killed in a crash."

If you drink and drive, there are some serious consequences. Consider the following:

• You or your passengers could be injured or killed in a crash.
• You may spend time in jail.
• You could lose your licence.
• You may have to pay stiff fines.
• Your insurance may not pay for any injuries or damage you cause.
• You may get a criminal record.

"Why take that chance," says Colin Hunt on behalf of Greater Vancouver Autoplan Brokers. "Before walking out the door, take two minutes to make plans to get home safely."

Choose a designated driver, arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up, or have money set aside for a cab. Refuse to drive with drivers who are impaired. Ask to be let out of the car if necessary. Take a stand and don't let people who may be impaired drive.

Remember, even one or two drinks can impair your judgement. Plan ahead for a safe ride home before you go to the party.

For more information check out Get Home Safe

Copyright © 2008 ICBC - Insurance Corporation of British Columbia