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Impaired driving offences double

And nearly half of those are during daylight hours when more motorists are on the road.

Keep an eye on other drivers when you're on the road as police say the impaired driving-related offences have doubled in the first two months of this year compared to last year.

West Pacific Region Traffic Services, also known as the highway patrol, said that since January 1, there have been 19 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibitions (IRP) issued and three Administrative Driving Prohibitions.

These two are only issued if the driver's blood alcohol level is over 0.100 blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the vehicle stop, said a police release March 18.

There have also been 12 three-day IRPs and two seven-day IRPs – the numbers for the same time frame in 2013 were eight 90-day IRPs and two three-day IRPs.

"This is over double the amount for the same time frame," stated Cst. Philip Crack of West Pacific Region Traffic Services, adding that the majority of impaired driving charges are on Hwy 37 South between Terrace and Kitimat.

"With all the education and media about the consequences of impaired driving, I would have hoped that the number would be going down and not up."

Crack went on to note that even worse was the fact that of the 19 IRPs issued, five of them were between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and another five of those were between 6 p.m. and 12 a.m.

"So just about half of them were what we would consider daytime impaired drivers, when we have the highest volume of traffic on the roads," stated Crack.

"As I was writing this press release, our officers brought in another impaired driver that is facing charges under the Criminal Code for impaired driving and over 0.08, which puts us to 20 for the year so far."

He pointed out that the consequences of impaired driving are steep: "You could face a driving prohibition, monetary penalty, or even jail time. As well, if you get in a collision while impaired, it will render your insurance invalid."

West Pacific Region Traffic Services would like to remind motorists to always plan a safe ride home, and if you were drinking the night before, a couple of hours of sleep does not sober you up.

Only time can allow your body to eliminate alcohol.

If you are a person on the road and you see a person that you think is driving while impaired, please call 911 and report it immediately.