Sunshine Coast RCMP are releasing their first numbers from this year’s CounterAttack program.
RCMP say since the beginning of December they’ve handed out four 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibitions, four 3-day IRPs and four 24-hour prohibitions for impairment by drugs.
5 vehicles have been impounded and police have issued around 130 warnings and violation tickets for various other reasons.
Sunshine Coast RCMP also say as part of CounterAttack this season they’ve had officers visit bars for what they call a “licensed premise check”; 17 times so far.  RCMP say they hope seeing the police out and about will make people think twice before drinking and driving.
Meanwhile, in Nanaimo, Operation Red Nose took its appeal for more volunteers directly to City Council this week.
Coordinator Don Allan says they’re expecting to top last year’s “ride” numbers by around a hundred. And given that it takes a team to get a car and driver safely home, that’s a lot of volunteer hours.
Allan told councillors the big crunch will come New Year’s Eve, when they’ll need as many as 50 volunteers ready to go.
He says it’s import that people aren’t kept waiting, because if they are they could be tempted to risk getting behind the wheel.
Red Nose is funded in part through ICBC, but it also takes donations that benefit the Pacific Sport Foundation. Contact them at 250-755-6969
There is no Red Nose program on the Sunshine Coast, but a private group has stepped forward to offer a similar service for a fee. Their posters are up at most area bars and restaurants.
