Drunk drivers in Kensington will have Nickelback soundtrack their way to the police station.
Drunk drivers in Kensington will have Nickelback soundtrack their way to the police station.
A Canadian police department will be cracking down hard on drink drivers this holiday season, administering a punishment many may consider cruel and unusual.
Kensington Police have warned potential law-breakers that if they're caught, not only will they be hit with a fine and a criminal charge, they'll be forced to listen to Nickleback's 2001 album, Silver Side Up, in the police car on the way to the station.
Nickleback is a Canadian band so loathed there is a website dedicated to reminding people they are in fact the worst band ever.
In a Facebook post, the Prince Edward Island police department announced their special edition Christmas gift for drunk drivers.
"Now, now, no need to thank us, we figure if you are foolish enough to get behind the wheel after drinking then a little Chad Kroeger and the boys is the perfect gift for you," the post reads.
Speaking to Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking this morning, constable Rob Hartlen said he was pleased the tongue-in-cheek message had taken off.
Hartlen said he knew he needed to come up with a holiday message but didn't want to do "just another drinking and driving lesson".
As long as people were reminded not to drink and drive he was happy, he said.
"That kernel of the message is embedded into the whole thing, so I'm fine with that. Nickleback fans, not so much."
The Facebook page's reach had soared, reaching 240,000 people and the story has been covered in 18 countries.
On Facebook, Kensington police also outline how to avoid driving drunk, saying planning designated drivers and keeping taxi company numbers on hand is key.
The department's copy of Silver Side Up, which features the hit 'How You Remind Me', is so far unopened, and officers have asked the public to help keep it that way.
"As a police officer I know sadly that's not going to happen," Hartlen said.
"But I hope it's getting the message out. If there's a global upsurge in either loving or hating Nickleback, that's fine, I'm ok with that."
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