MESSAGE #1: DRIVE SAFE

During a season when many of us take time off to relax and recharge between the Canada Day and Labour Day long weekends, the Coquitlam RCMP Traffic Services Section has been out in force working with ICBC to target the high risk driver behaviours–not using seatbelts, unsafe driving in intersections, speeding and driving impaired by alcohol or drugs–that research shows are at the root of most of the injuries and deaths on our roads.

Making the roads in Anmore, Belcarra, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam the safest in BC is a goal that all Coquitlam RCMP mounties are working towards and proactive enforcement projects over the summer months are one way they’re getting the job done.  

 Enforcement projects like roadblocks and strategic patrols target all four behaviours, but impaired driving is always a high priority.

 ”We certainly feel we’ve done a great job at the end of a shift where we’ve taken drunk drivers off the road,” said Sgt. Dave Stewart of the Coquitlam RCMP Traffic Section. “But the real satisfaction comes when our stats show an increase in impaired driving charges because we know those numbers are a direct reflection of our efforts. And what they really say is our approach is working and what we do every day is really making our streets safer for everyone.”

“We’re still seeing too many people die or getting injured every year on BC roads because of alcohol,” said Nicolas Jimenez, ICBC Director for Road Safety. “Just because you’ve only had a couple of drinks doesn’t mean you’re OK to drive. The smart choice is to keep drinking and driving separate.”

B.C.’s tougher new impaired driving laws and harsher penalties come into effect in September but Coquitlam mounties will be busy for the rest of the summer with CounterAttack road checks and other projects aimed at making sure that anyone who chooses to drink and drive in our jurisdiction will get caught.

 Backgrounder: Coquitlam RCMP Traffic Services Section Statistics (July 2010)

                        Tickets       Warnings

 Seatbelts              82              7

Intersections        83              10

Unsafe Speed      396            20

Other                   141             67

Total                    692            104

 Impaired and others

 Impaired Charges                            22

24 hour Suspension – Alcohol          46

24 hour Suspension- Drugs               4

 Administrative Driving Prohibition    19

 Driving While prohibited                     2

 Drug Seizure- 7 (total of 26.5 grams of Marihuana seized)

Message 2:   Missing Coast Cottage Resident

The Coquitlam RCMP is requesting the public’s assistance in locating

63 year old Jack Vernon MACLEOD. He is missing from the Coast Cottages program located on the Riverview grounds in Coquitlam.

Mr. MACLEOD left the residence on a day pass on August 6th, 2010, at approximately 4:00 pm and has not been heard from since.

Mr. MACLEOD is described as a Caucasian male, 5’4″ in height, approximately 154lbs, partially balding salt and pepper hair, with blue eyes and medium complexion. He was last seen wearing a beige suede jacket, a blue button-up dress shirt, and dress pants. MACLEOD normally makes use of a cane to walk however he did not take the cane with him went he left the residence.

Mr. MACLEOD is wanted on a Canada wide warrant for being Unlawfully at Large and should not be approached by the public.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jack MACLEOD is asked to call the Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477.)