Plan ahead and don’t drink and drive, says Cpl. Paulo Arreaga of the Bowen RCMP, talking to us at the paper, about road safety and alcohol on the island.
Here’s more of what he had to say on this.
Undercurrent: Calls for causing a disturbance or being intoxicated in public were higher for 2017 with 27 calls, up by 10 from the year before. What do increases like this indicate?
Arreaga: There could be several factors that would contribute to an increase in these types of calls. Some years might see several larger events being held during good weather that might even extend late into the season.
Good weather tends to increase noise levels and in alcohol related activities. As the popularity of Bowen Island increases we might see an increase of all kinds of calls for service.
Undercurrent: Anything else you’d like to say about drinking responsibly on the island?
Arreaga: Yes. It never ceases to amaze me how much of a set back an evening of a little too much alcohol can bring to anyone’s life.
I have experienced people losing their jobs, friends, family, licences, housing, and livelihood all due to one night that ended up being the last straw.
For us a successful roadblock is one where we have checked everyone and we get no impaired drivers. We’ve all heard it before and you’ll hear it again.
Plan ahead, don’t drink and drive, and don’t get into a vehicle with someone who’s been drinking.
Drunk drivers — and their passengers — have much more to lose than a license.
