The 2025 Winter Impaired Driving Campaign saw an overall decrease in the number of impaired drivers stopped by BC Highway Patrol, including in the Kootenays including Revelstoke, Golden, Nelson and Cranbrook.

BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) reported 27 prohibitions were handed out in December 2025, a decrease of nine over 2024.

A total of 240 drivers were removed from B.C. roads in December 2025 for everything from 24-hour drug prohibitions (eight total) to 90-day alcohol prohibitions (89 total). That’s down compared to 267 prohibitions issued in December 2024, BCHP stated.

“We shouldn’t read too much into number changes from 2024, because different weather conditions and staffing from year-to-year are major factors,” said Inspector Adam Tallboy with BC Highway Patrol. “We are encouraged by some of the lower impaired numbers in Central B.C., but the increase in northern B.C. is concerning. Overall, B.C. drivers still need to do a better job of driving sober.”

Click here to see the breakdown of prohibitions issued in BC Highway Patrol’s five regions.

Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS) continues to be a key tool for police efforts to remove impaired drivers from the road.

A mandatory impaired driving breath demand can be made for any motorist,” said Inspector Tallboy. “Driving on BC highways is a privilege that needs to be treated with the respect it deserves. People who are impaired and endanger other road-users will be removed from the highways.”

The annual Winter Impaired Driving Campaign is a province-wide effort conceived by the BC Association of Chiefs of Police. Police all over B.C. use extra check stops, patrols, and other enhanced enforcement techniques to support National Impaired Driving Prevention Month.

All numbers reported are exclusively for BC Highway Patrol units and do not include individual RCMP detachments or municipal police agencies.

BC Highway Patrol photo

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