Coquitlam RCMP has seen a decrease in drunk driving arrests this year from 2011 but that doesn't necessarily mean fewer people are having a few drinks before getting behind the wheel.
Police suspended 99 drivers and charged 51 others criminally between April 1 and July 7 of this year. Those numbers are down from the same period last year, when police suspended 135 drivers and charged 162 criminally.
Cpl. Jamie Chung said the difference in the arrest statistics could be attributed to the fact that last summer, police had stricter roadside penalties. Officers were allowed to immediately suspend a driver for 90 days following a failed reading on a Breathalyzer, saving officers the time it takes to conduct a lengthy criminal investigation.
"The criminal investigation takes a lot more time than the IRP," he said. "That is one of the contributing factors."
The regulations were temporarily suspended after B.C. Supreme Court judge Jon Sigurdson said they infringed on people's constitutional rights to a fair trial. After the provincial government made changes to the legislation in the spring allowing drivers a chance to challenge Breathalyzer readings, the stricter regulations were reinstated.
But there are other factors that could have swayed the Coquitlam RCMP's drunk driving statistics.
Chung said 2011 was a particularly effective year for the detachment when it came to arresting impaired drivers, with 12 officers receiving recognition for their work. Two of those officers have since been promoted to other areas within the department.
"There were two traffic officers who were particularly keen on removing intoxicated drivers off the roadway," he said.
Police will continue enforcement throughout the summer months, said Chung, and people who choose to drink should not get behind the wheel.
MADD SIGNS
Signs encouraging motorists to phone 911 when they see an impaired driver on the road will be erected in various parts of Port Coquitlam.
MADD will pay for eight Campaign 911 signs in the municipality and has worked with the city and Coquitlam RCMP to determine the best locations.
The proposed locations include McLean Park, Gates Park, Broadway Street, Pitt River Road at Mclean Avenue, Dominion Avenue at Ottawa Street, Coast Meridian Road at Prairie Avenue and two along Coast Meridian.
The city will co-ordinate the construction and installation of the signs before invoicing MADD for costs.
Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge have already erected signs and the city of Coquitlam is also expected to take part in the program in the coming months.
"The ultimate goal is to have both Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam sign on to it," said Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Jamie Chung. "This is in everybody's best interest."
