Image: Abby PD / Choose Your Ride campaign police car

By Fraser Valley Today Staff

Safe roads

Abbotsford Police launch Choose Your Ride campaign

Dec 1, 2023 | 4:17 PM

ABBOTSFORD — Today marks the start of the CounterAttack Campaign in Abbotsford and many other cities across B.C. The initiative is aimed at curbing impaired driving incidents during the holiday season.

In a news release, Abbotsford Police says an average of 64 lives are lost each year in crashes involving impaired drivers in B.C., accounting for approximately 23 percent of all car crash fatalities. Last December alone, Abbotsford Police officers removed 75 impaired drivers from local roads.

This year the AbbyPD’s Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) is unveiling the innovative “Choose Your Ride” campaign, utilizing a visually striking police vehicle with a unique twist. The front of the vehicle is wrapped as a traditional police cruiser, while the back mimics the appearance of a classic yellow taxi.

Image: Supplied by AbbyPD

The campaign serves as a powerful visual reminder for drivers to plan ahead and opt for a safe ride home this festive season. The TEU is committed to enforcing tough penalties, including potential jail time, for those who choose to drive impaired. The AbbyPD’s officers are highly trained in detecting both drug and alcohol impairment during roadside screenings.

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“Our frontline staff are dedicated to removing impaired drivers from our roadways this holiday season,” said Sgt. Paul Walker from the Abby PD TEU. “Attending impaired driving crashes where serious injury or death occurs is something none of us like to do. Those images never leave, nor does the trauma of telling a loved one that their family member is never coming home.”

He urges the community to prioritize arranging a safe ride home through taxis, ride-hailing services, or with the help of friends and family. The “Choose Your Ride” campaign embodies AbbyPD’s commitment to road safety and preventing the devastating consequences of impaired driving during the festive period.