News Down the road, police are waiting by Valorie Lennox The Review At night, a police roadblock is like a carnival from Hades. Revolving red and blue lights mingle with red-tinged billows of acrid smoke from flares as police wave down motorists, looking for drunk drivers. An impaired driver faces a real version of: hell: arrest, court charges and, on conviction, a hefty fine, possible jail sentence and loss of a drivers’ license for at least a year. But, like a preacher’s sermon, the real purpose of a police road- block is deterrence. “I’ve been doing roadblocks for four years and I’ve yet to come across an impaired driver,” says Sidney RCMP Cst. Chris Cal- dwell. Thursday night on the Pat Bay Highway the message seemed to have reached the flock. Five offi- cers stopped hundreds of cars during the hour-long roadblock and identified only one potential impaired driver. After admitting he had drank four mugs of beer and performing several sobriety tests for Caldwell, the man was given a 24-hour suspension. He locked his car and police called a taxi to take him home. “I know from experience how impaired people are just by look- ing at the signs. He was around .08 per cent, borderline,” Caldwell said. Borderline cases are difficult to successfully prosecute. The 24- hour suspension takes such people off the road, ending the danger to themselves and to others. To aid police in such judgments, many of the Spring CounterAttack roadblocks will be equipped with the hand held alcometer, which provides a roadside breath test indicating impairment level. If the driver fails the roadside test, it is time for the full breatha- lyzer test at the police station. Thursday night the Sidney RCMP alcometer had just been sent for calibration, a process required every second week. But some potential impaired drivers will face the new tool between now and the end of the Spring CounterAttack campaign on May 4. Over the Christmas CounterAt- tack campaign, when the alco- meter was used for the first time, impaired driving charges increased by almost 33 per cent. “T think its a good deterrence,” says Caldwell. In setting up the roadblock Thursday, he chose a straight stretch of the Pat Bay Highway between Amity and McTavish Roads. The road offers a steady stream of traffic, enough visibility to allow drivers to slow for the road- block — but no exits for potential impaired drivers who might other- wise escape. Three police cars with lights flashing and incandescent pink flares placed in three-deep rows over the two lanes of traffic gave drivers ample warning to stop. “In three or four years, they’ll probably discover this stuff causes cancer,’ Caldwell said, waving away the smoke from the flares. His approach is quick and friendly. “Good evening, we’re looking for impaired drivers. Have you had anything to drink tonight?” he asks, flicking a shielded flashlight over the vehicle’s interior to ensure all passengers are wearing seat belts. Responses are frank and equally friendly. “Not for weeks” “Half a glass of wine.” “T’ve been checked, two guys back, but that’s okay, ask me!” “Thad a beer, yes, downtown.” “I'm not impaired. I haven’t had a drink for so long it wouldn’t even be fun.” The family dog sticks his head out the window of one car and sniffs Caldwell. Stull speaking to the driver, Caldwell rumples the dog’s ears, convincing one pooch that cops are okay. Another driver admits drinking non-alcoholic beer and warns Cal- dwell against trying the stuff. “T’ve heard it’s not good,” Cal- dwell remarked. Hip radios spit static, punctuat- ing the conversations with drivers. Vehicles back up briefly at the roadblock, are cleared through and the highway is empty for a few seconds, until the traffic light at Mt. Newton Crossroad releases another wave of vehicles. “You get to meet a lot of people and everyone’s happy to see you for once,” Caldwell said. “People are glad to see you out looking for impaired drivers.” Like the other officers, Caldwell does a quick circuit of the vehi- cles, checking for insurance and burned out lights. A few people are warmed to get lights fixed. Officers climb up the side of tractor-trailer units to talk to those drivers as well. One car is pulled off the road and towed, after police find the driver has no insurance and no license. A repeat offender, he is given a notice to appear in court on the motor vehicle act charge. “I think we'll close it down,” Caldwell says, gathering the expended flares into a metal con- tainer. After an hour of work, the belts which turn the police car’s flash- ing lights are squeaking. Caldwell switches off the lights, pulls on to the highway to resume patrolling. In exchange for an hour standing in the smoke and cold, one poten- tial impaired driver has been taken off the road and a few minor infractions corrected. Most important, several drivers have just been reminded not to drink and drive. Somewhere down the road, police will be w. TheReview DR. FREDERICK G. DAY FR.C.S. (Canada), FR.C.S. (Scotland), FI.C.S. M.Ch Orth. (Liverpool) Is Continuing to Practice Orthopaedic Surgery at 202 - 9755 4th St., Sidney, B.C. Please Phone Direct to 656-5441 Or 656-5218 for Appointment & nal POWER DRAIN ja CLEANING H.W. TANKS » NEW CONSTRUCTION + H.W. HEATING SHOWROOM & PARTS DEPARTMENT HOME SERVICE SPECIALIST FREE ESTIMATES 656-4243 10003 McDONALD PK., SIDNEY HAIRCUTS FACIALS Pamper Yourself! 656-0124 $ 1 0 site Nuitri-Metics Naturally Pure TRICIA DAWN It’s Sanderson Month Let us show you the new and exciting co-ordinated collections from Sanderson - drapery fabrics, upholstery fabrics, co-ordinated and complimentary wallcoverings ON SALE NOW AT LOCATED INSIDE STANDARD FURNITURE 10TH FLOOR SIDNEY CENTRE 659-1514 THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF CENTRAL SAANICH NOTICE TO ALL FARMERS IN CENTRAL SAANICH In keeping with the Municipal commitment supporting agricultural activities on the Peninsula, the Council of the District of Central Saanich intends to explore possibilities for providing water for agricultural irrigation. It is recognized that this matter has received attention in the past and to date a satisfactory solution has not been found. Nevertheless the current Municipal Council wishes to renew efforts to find a solution. In order to clarify the extent of this problem Central Saanich farmers in need of more irrigation water are invited to complete a questionnaire on this matter. These forms are available from the | Engineering Department, Municipal Hall, 4903 Mt. Newton Cross Road, or can be mailed to interested parties by calling 652-4444, Local 234. George H. Sawada Clerk-Administrator VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION WEEK April22- ° In recognition of those individuals who dedi- caie their time and service to our community the District of Central Saanich extends a deserving “Pat on the Back” Central Saanich Boys’ & Girls’ Club; Boy Scouts of Canada — 2nd Tsartlip; Boy Scouts of Canada — 10th Tsartslip; Brentwood Basket- ball; Peninsula Fieldhockey; Peninsula Minor Lacrosse; Greater Victoria BMX; Peninsula Players; Boys’ and Girls’ Friendship Club; Royal Canadian Army Cadets; Navy League Cadets; Saanich Peninsu- la Minor Hockey; North & South Saanich Agricultural Society; Peninsula Singers; Peninsula Community Association; Saanich His- torical Artifacts Society; Auxiliary to Saanich Peninsula Hospital; Central Saanich Table Tennis Club; Brentwood Bay Power Squadron; 500 Club; Prairie Inn Harriers; Saanich Peninsula Toastmasters Club; Central Saanich Seniors; Central Saanich Lawnbowling Club; Central Saanich Little League; Saanich Peninsula Soccer Club; Saanich Peninsula Arts & Crafts Society; Peninsula Babe Ruth; Girl Guides of Canada; Royal Canadian Sea Cadets; Royal Canadian Air Cadets; 4-H Club; Saanich Pioneer Society; Brentwood Bay Rotary Club; Friends of Central Sanaich Library; Central Saanich Lions CLub; The Loyal Order of Moose; North Saanich Rod & Gun Club; Saanichton Elementary Parents Group; Peninsula Track Club; Central Saanich Business Association; Victoria/Saanich Pony Club; Sunset Riding Club; Dean Park Badminton; Saanich Peninsula Modular Railroad Club; Junior Service League of Victoria; Central Saanich Remote Control Club; Vancouver Island Rabbit Breeders Association; Associ- ation for the Protection of Rural Central Saanich; Victoria Model Shipbuilding Society; The Hummers; Saanich Inlet Protection Society; Central Saanich Ratepayers; Peninsula Newcomers Club; Girl Guides of Canada — Trefoil Guild; Caregivers S:isport Group of Central Saanich; Lower Vancouver Island Block Ferents; Mt. Newton Middle School Parents Group; Stelly’s School Parent ‘Association; Island Ringette Association; Victoria/Saanich C.A.D.O.R.A.; Vancouver Island Contemporary Arts Society; International Training and Communica- tions; Vancouver Island Model Engineers; Esperanto; Victoria/Saanich Inlet Angler’s Association; Sidney & Saanich Peninsula Garden Club; Sidney Women’s Aglow; Pacific Animal Therapy Society; Brentwood Community Club; Keating Elementary Parents Group; Peninsula Peace Group; Toughlove; Mt. Newton Centre Society; Masonic Associ- ation; School District No. 63 Board of Trustees; Central Saanich Volunteer Firefighters. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO! Wednesday; April 24,1991 — A20 eT : Sidney Sock: , “Slee Service Above Self vyy Sei ee ee ety os eet