Numerous impaired driving charges laid
The RCMP lodged 20 charges of drunk driving across the Yukon during the holiday season, says Cpl. Shawn Pollard of the traffic division.
The RCMP lodged 20 charges of drunk driving across the Yukon during the holiday season, says Cpl. Shawn Pollard of the traffic division.
Pollard said this morning that most of the 20 charges were laid in Whitehorse.
In addition, officers issued 11, 24-hour driver’s licence suspensions related to the use of alcohol and drugs.
“The bottom line is, we are not winning,” Pollard said of the continuing propensity for driving drunk in the territory.
“The people we tend to deal with are of all age groups.
“It is not just a bunch of older people, it’s not a bunch of younger people, it’s not a bunch of middle-aged people, it just seems to be everybody.”
Among the 20 charges, he said, a few drivers were involved in crashes that led to the charges.
Pollard said he did not have statistics at his finger tips to compare with the most recent checkstop results.
He suspects the number of charges and suspensions over the holiday season is in line with the 2015-2016 Christmas-New Year’s period.
Also of note is one of the motorists was driving their eight-year-old granddaughter up the road, he pointed out.
Pollard said in another case involving a 24-hour driver’s licence suspension, a one- to two-year-old toddler was sitting unsecured in the front seat – with no car seat, and no seatbelt.
Comments (18)
Up 12 Down 16
Eugene Smith on Jan 9, 2017 at 3:39 pm
I miss the days when drinking and driving was normal and the cops would just tell you to go right home. People are too uptight now, if I want to drink 6 beers and knock back a few rails then drive home it should be ok.
Up 3 Down 2
Groucho d'North on Jan 9, 2017 at 3:34 pm
There is more than first nation housing in Ross River and the surrounding area. I suggest these homes be included in the inspection survey to establish a very clear picture of why one particular group of homes falls to disrepair faster than the rest. After all is the survey to discover the solution, or stall for time? The same findings will be found in Watson Lake, Old Crow and most other Yukon communities.
Up 8 Down 6
ProScience Greenie on Jan 8, 2017 at 9:51 am
jc - human rights abolished? A very slippery slope jc. Don't like overusing the quote below but it needs to be said here...
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Up 21 Down 3
ProScience Greenie on Jan 8, 2017 at 9:49 am
Too often the punishment for DUI doesn't fit the crime. One person will get nailed hard after being caught in the middle of nowhere being just a bit over the limit and another person will get a light sentence for being totally smashed while driving crazy in the heart of downtown Whitehorse. Consistent sentencing would be a good start.
Up 12 Down 14
Stan Walker on Jan 7, 2017 at 1:11 pm
The thumbs down to many reasonable posts suggests many people just do not care about others safety.
How incredibly selfish- hope the police catch you and use the full force of the laws which are meant to protect our safety.
Up 27 Down 15
Groucho d' North on Jan 5, 2017 at 4:15 pm
I too am in support of identifying those convicted of impaired driving. Nothing else has had the desired outcome, perhaps people will think twice if they know all others will know them for what they are. I don't see a down side to it anywhere.
Up 15 Down 21
ralpH on Jan 5, 2017 at 1:43 pm
@jc are you a cop?? Take away their human rights!!! Just make the punishment fit the crime and do it in a timely manner. No more than two weeks to prosecute. Takes way to long in the courts. First offence 30 days in jail automatic and a years suspension.
Up 27 Down 27
Stu Winter on Jan 5, 2017 at 12:38 pm
ANOTHER THOUGHT
Impaired drivers are murderers who have not yet committed a murder. Let's take them off the roads and make it safe.
Up 16 Down 10
ralpH on Jan 5, 2017 at 12:17 pm
Did not have the stats at his fingertips. Hmmm get yourself into the news ahead of the actually story. Although most disturbing these Stats the delivery mechanism is flawed. Groups like MADD should be the ones screaming foul and demanding change. We do not need a self appointed morality type lecturing us. Just do the job and let the public handle the course of things.
Up 34 Down 10
B.maje on Jan 5, 2017 at 11:31 am
I went to a party,
And remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, Mom
So I had a sprite instead.
I felt proud of myself,
The way you said I would,
That I didn't drink and drive,
Though some friends said I should.
I made a healthy choice,
And your advice to me was right,
The party finally ended,
And the kids drove out of sight.
I got into my car,
Sure to get home in one piece,
I never knew what was coming, Mom
Something I expected least.
Now I'm lying on the pavement,
And I hear the policeman say,
The kid that caused this wreck was drunk,
Mom, his voice seems far away.
My own blood's all around me,
As I try hard not to cry.
I can hear the paramedic say,
This girl is going to die.
I'm sure the guy had no idea,
While he was flying high,
Because he chose to drink and drive,
Now I would have to die.
So why do people do it, Mom
Knowing that it ruins lives?
And now the pain is cutting me,
Like a hundred stabbing knives.
Tell sister not to be afraid,
Tell daddy to be brave,
And when I go to heaven,
Put Daddy's Girl on my grave.
Someone should have taught him,
That its wrong to drink and drive.
Maybe if his parents had,
I'd still be alive.
My breath is getting shorter, Mom
I'm getting really scared.
These are my final moments,
And I'm so unprepared.
I wish that you could hold me Mom,
As I lie here and die.
I wish that I could say, "I love you, Mom!"
So I love you and good-bye.
-Unknown
Up 6 Down 5
Tickie on Jan 4, 2017 at 9:54 pm
I'm in Thailand and here's a peek at the situation here: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1174445/police-arrest-59-000-for-drink-driving
Up 24 Down 19
jc on Jan 4, 2017 at 9:33 pm
This tragedy could be avoided simply when politicians and judges take it seriously. When the politicians legislate a good law, the higher judges repeal it. When the judges rule, it comes with a simple slap on the wrist. And then when it comes to things this serious, human rights laws have to be abolished. And just a note, all the thumbs down on these good comments are probably people who like to drink and drive.
Up 36 Down 13
helen pruden on Jan 4, 2017 at 7:53 pm
Start naming the ppl that are impaired and shame them, maybe that will solve some of the problem. publicize the impaired drivers.
Up 16 Down 8
Cindy on Jan 4, 2017 at 6:53 pm
Good job RCMP. Guess the bylaw guys weren't helping this year since the bylaw manager got caught on the roadway last year without his hard hat on. Whoops. Ha ha ha
Up 20 Down 15
Stu Winter on Jan 4, 2017 at 6:48 pm
What percentage of impaired drivers are caught. My guess is less than one percent.
So there were 2,000 impaired drivers out there not counting the ones on drugs.
Take home message is do not drive in Yukon on holidays.
Up 24 Down 16
Publicize their names after conviction on Jan 4, 2017 at 6:36 pm
Publicize their names after conviction and have a page in our papers dedicated to it, a weekly spot on the radio, and a flyer for the front door of the liquor store. Maybe we need to enact/request or whatever gets it done; a law that publicizes the individual's name (as well as public record) upon the conviction of impaired driving.
A whole page in the paper for all to see. Like a public service announcement with their pictures and big letters underneath that says I AM A REALLY STUPID MENACE AND A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED UP SO NO ONE ELSE WAS PUT IN DANGER BUT WE HAVE CRAP LAWS.
I want to know the faces of those that choose to potentially take the lives of my loved ones and yours away, possibly forever. Put their pictures on the liquor store door for all to see - like wanted posters or what they should be called: public safety announcements letting us all know how irresponsible you really are and to be aware.
Public shaming for drunk driving is the only thing that will work, then they are answerable to all of us rather than the joke the justice system is currently.
Up 60 Down 29
Thomas Brewer on Jan 4, 2017 at 3:53 pm
"another case involving a 24-hour driver’s licence suspension, a one- to two-year-old toddler was sitting unsecured in the front seat – with no car seat, and no seatbelt."
Hopefully Family and Children's Services was notified as well.
Up 55 Down 49
Just a thought on Jan 4, 2017 at 3:46 pm
Just wondering why impaired driving offenses aren't taken more seriously. They should be charged with attempted murder. Only then will you be "winning". Tough lesson learned. Take them off the road for good! Make it impossible for them to drive again. 4 walls and a cot. Make them a jail where they can rot. I'm sick of all these drunk drivers. Punishments need to be way more harsh for committing such a dangerous offense that puts so many at risk.