Kamloops RCMP say they’re surprised by the number of impaired drivers they’ve pulled over over the first three weeks of December.

Police say they’ve taken 31 drivers off the road for being impaired by alcohol or drugs. That is up from 17 drivers through the first two weeks of the month, an increase of 14 in the last seven days.

“COVID has not curbed the need for enforcement and the local RCMP continue to be busy intercepting impaired drivers on the local roadways,” said Sgt. Brian O’Callaghan. “Police have been surprised by the numbers with the local night clubs and pubs being closed earlier in the evening.

“If you are going to go out and consuming liquor or drugs, RCMP encourage you to plan ahead with a designated driver, by taking a taxi or by using local transit.”

Police are also asking people who are using public transit to ensure they have their masks with them.

Of the 31 impaired drivers, police say 15 were given 90 day roadside prohibitions and had their vehicles seized for 30 days.

The annual CounterAttack road check campaign got underway on Nov. 27, and will last into the new year. Data from ICBC shows an 67 people are killed an average each year because of impaired driving with more than half of impaired-related crashes – 56 per cent of the total – occurring on weekends.