Three Ridge Meadows RCMP officers were were part of Alexa’s Team in 2015, the members of which gathered again Wednesday to promote the road safety initiative.
MADD Canada, ICBC, RCMP and supporters of Alexa’s Team are gathering again to recognize 246 officers from around the province who were part of the team.
The program recognizes RCMP and municipal police officers in B.C. who make a contribution to reducing the number of drivers affected by alcohol or drugs on B.C.’s roads and highways.
Alexa’s Team is named for Alexa Middelaer who was killed by an alcohol impaired driver in 2008.
Recognition events are held in Metro Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna and Prince George. Officers are personally thanked by Alexa’s family, road safety organizations and community leaders for their tireless work fighting impaired driving.
Special recognition is given to the officer in each region who has removed the most impaired drivers from the roads of their community in 2015.
The awards ceremonies also provide an opportunity to recognize the significant decrease in B.C.’s rate of alcohol-related crash deaths since the introduction of the province’s Immediate Roadside Prohibition program in 2010.
The average reduction from October 2010 to the end of September 2014 was 52 per cent, representing an estimated 238 lives saved, according to the RoadSafetyBC Preliminary Report on Alcohol Related Motor Vehicle Fatalities 2015.
“Impaired driving is a significant concern to police officers across the province, and I applaud those members of Alexa’s Team who have made our safety a priority. Their commitment to identify and remove impaired drivers from our roads is remarkable, and makes our communities safer for all,” said RCMP Supt. Derek Cooke, officer in charge ‘E’ Division traffic services.
“Alexa’s Team shines a bright spotlight on the excellent work our police officers do keep communities safe. MADD Canada is proud to be part of this effort, and we offer our thanks and congratulations to these dedicated men and women for their commitment to taking impaired drivers off our roads,” said MADD Canada national president Angeliki Souranis.
Ridge Meadows RCMP Cnst. Britteny George, Cnst. Jordan Mullen and Cnst. Eric Obermayer were part of Alexa’s Team. Together, they removed 78 impaired drivers from the roads.