The Statistics Canada findings are shocking: Kelowna is the drunk-driving capital of Canada.
How many times have you perhaps flirted with danger after one too many drinks?
According to the numbers, a great many Central Okanagan residents have - and then got caught.
The rate of impaired driving in the region ballooned 76 per cent over five years, with 1,063 impaired-driving incidents in 2011.
Kelowna notched up 583 impaired-driving incidents per 100,000 population - more than double the national average.
Quite rightly, Kelowna RCMP Supt. Bill McKinnon called this "somewhat alarming."
On top of that, another study found more than 12 per cent of drivers in Kelowna tested positive for drugs.
The fact we are a summer tourist destination where people come to party only accounts for part of the shocking revelation.
Recent changes to impaired driving laws in British Columbia gave police new powers to administer immediate roadside driving prohibitions of 90 days.
Previously, McKinnon admitted, cops had been inclined to hand out 24-hour suspensions instead of impaired charges, thus avoiding hours of paperwork.
Perhaps the police feeding frenzy the new rules brought about has revealed the true extent of the drunk driving problem in B.C., which is unique in its legislation and had three other cities in the top 10 as well.
- Managing Editor
Jon Manchester