VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – If this Christmas is anything like Christmases of the past, a handful of people will lose their lives on BC roads, thanks to drinking-driving.

But that’s not the only thing that bothers the people with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, as the CounterAttack season gets underway.

Bob Rorison with MADD says he’s especially dismayed at who is being caught at road checks.

“New drivers, people with the N displayed on their cars. They were caught in record numbers by the Vancouver Police Department last weekend. Of all people, we always thought the new drivers were the most aware,” he notes.

He says young drivers operating a car under the influence are the most dangerous on the road, because of their inexperience coupled with impairment.

The Christmas season also presents awkward situations for problem drinkers and their friends. People may think their friends are quite capable of driving, because they’re used to having alcohol in their system.

But Rorison says you should stop them from driving, likening the situation to allowing your friend to play with a loaded pistol.

“In fact, if you report them to their medical doctor, the medical doctor has to take it seriously and could send a note to the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles saying that this person has a chronic drinking problem and their licence should be removed.”

Even though there has been legal wrangling over the new road-side suspensions, he reminds us that they are in effect.  A police officer can seize your car and force you to hand over your driver’s licence if you’ve been drinking and driving.