Prince George, B.C.-   The annual CounterAttack program is underway as police  attempt to keep impaired drivers off the roads during the holiday season.

There is a role for the public to  play, as the RCMP in Prince George are now advising that if you see  someone  you suspect of being  impaired behind the wheel, that you call 9-1-1. “We suggest  people  take note of a license plate number, the direction the  suspect vehicle is heading, then  pull over and give us a call so we can get  cars out there” says Corporal Craig Douglass, Media Liaison Officer with the Prince George RCMP  Detachment.

Cpl. Douglass says  rapid response  may  get the driver off the road  before  anyone is hurt, or worse yet, killed  in a crash.

Of course, CounterAttack won’t be just sitting  at the detachment waiting for a call,  those  who  are  attending  parties to celebrate the  Holidays and plan to get into the Christmas ‘spirits’ can expect enhanced road side checks throughout the month.

Drivers showing signs of impairment by alcohol or other drugs will be subjected to further investigation and possible charges under the Motor Vehicle Act or Criminal Code.

“Our goal is to remove impaired drivers from our roads so that we can reduce injuries and deaths” says Cpl. Corey Eggen of the Prince George RCMP’s Municipal Traffic Section. “Our wish this holiday season is that everyone we check will be sober and that everyone gets to their destination safely.”

On average, every year 22 people are killed in collisions involving impaired driving in the North Central region of BC, some of those over the holiday season.

RCMP are asking  those who plan to  party it up, to make arrangements for a safe ride home, whether it be  a designated driver, transit, taxi, or Operation Red Nose,  the object is to  make sure everyone gets home safe and sound.