Prince Rupert RCMP launch 2013 Holiday Checkstop campaign

The Holiday season provides for many opportunities to enjoy the company of friends and family, however with those gatherings comes a reminder that responsibility on the roads is something to always keep in mind as you celebrate the season.

As they do every year, the local detachment of the RCMP will be stepping up their Checkstop efforts through the holiday season, looking to reduce the numbers of those that may take to the roads after one too many.

"The purpose of the checkstop is to educate drivers and the community of the dangers of drinking and driving and to plan before you party ... If you are planning of drinking over the holiday season, please do not drive. Find an alternative way to get home such as public transit, cabs, or a designated driver who can help ensure that you and the people sharing the road with you get to their destinations safely." -- Cst. Matt Ericson spokesman with the Prince Rupert RCMP

This year the Checkstop campaign will get its launch with a more festive occasion this weekend, as members of the RCMP join with Prince Rupert Fired/Rescue and the BC Ambulance service for the annual Candy Cane Checkstop.

For the remainder of the holiday season, the RCMP will be watching the roads and the drivers that travel them, ready to enforce the laws regarding impaired driving.

The local detachment of the RCMP has more information on the program from this media release.

From  that release you can learn more background information on the annual carnage that comes from impaired driving on the roads of British Columbia.

Carnage that in many cases could be avoided, simply by providing for alternative transportation when you go out to celebrate the season.