Sooke RCMP has kept busy over the past year, placing new emphasis on driver safety to great success.
In 2024, the detachment caught 142 impaired drivers, a 22 per cent increase from 2023 when 116 impaired drivers were taken off the streets.
While the number of drivers caught has increased, it's not necessarily an indication of more impaired driving in Sooke. Detachment commander Staff Sgt. Greg Willcocks explained that the increase can be attributed to more police resources being directed to the roads.
"With the change to 24-hour policing, we have more officers on the road and we are focusing our efforts on catching people who are impaired by alcohol and drugs. If you are planning on driving impaired in Sooke, know that you will get caught. Please plan for a sober ride home," said Willcocks.
In the first quarter of 2025, Sooke RCMP say they've already caught 41 impaired drivers, a 24 per cent increase from this time last year.
"These numbers are increasing, but it is largely because Sooke is one of the fastest growing communities in the province and we are growing substantially every year. With more and more people moving to Sooke, we are going to come across more people who are impaired because our population is larger," says Willcocks.
As part of their annual performance plan, Sooke RCMP is focusing on preventing and catching impaired drivers in the community. They ask that if residents see a suspected impaired driver, they safely call police to report it.
