The Richmond RCMP is making a concentrated effort to crack down on impaired driving this weekend, both on land and in the water.
Mounties say they will be attending the McDonald Beach boat launch Saturday, Aug. 10, to increase “awareness, prevention and enforcement associated to boating safety and impaired driving. “
Along with the road safety unit, the RCMP ‘Fraser Guardian’ boat will be at the beach.
“In addition to conducting enforcement, we recognize the importance of education as it can effect long-term change in behaviours which ultimately can save lives. By working with our partner agency, ICBC, this operation allows us to do both enforcement and education simultaneously,” said Staff Sgt. Maj. Ross Lundie, who’s in charge of the boat.
According to ICBC statistics, an average of 61 people are killed and 1,404 are injured in impaired-driving-related crashes in B.C. every year.