Lake Country RCMP busy taking drunk drivers off the road on Canada Day

Lake Country RCMP took five drunk drivers off the road on Canada Day.

From 7 p.m. July 1, until 2 a.m. July 2 Lake Country police issued five 90-day driving suspensions and the drivers had their vehicles impounded for 30 days.

According to a Lake Country RCMP media release, police conducted two road checks to target impaired drivers.

"The Lake Country RCMP is reminding drivers there is no excuse for drinking and driving. Operating any motorized vehicle or vessel, while impaired by drugs or alcohol, is an offence under the Criminal Code and the Motor Vehicle Act," the release says.

READ MORE: One dead, one arrested in Lake Country after UTV rollover

"Whether driving a vehicle on a highway, operating a boat on a lake or driving an all-terrain vehicle on a trail, drivers should plan ahead before heading out to arrange a safe drive if their summer activities involve alcohol."

Lake Country RCMP also dealt with a fatal UTV crash July 2 morning. The 34-year-old UTV's passenger died at the scene and the driver, also 34, was arrested for impaired operation causing death.

"Being on highway and traffic patrol for as long as I have been, you go to too many fatalities and crashes that resulted from one decision, the decision to drink and drive, that could have easily been avoided," Lake Country RCMP Const. Owen Hazlewood said in the release.

"If drivers can’t make that decision for themselves, I’m happy to make it for them."

Lake Country RCMP says it will continue to conduct roadside checks to target impaired drivers and keep "our roads, lakes and trails safe."

To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.