A drunk driver recently smacked into a traffic light and drove a kilometre with the pole on its hood before coming to a stop, RCMP say.

The 48-year-old Manitoba driver of a minivan hit a pole while heading west on the Trans-Canada Highway in Headingley, Man., on Dec. 19 at about 6 a.m., RCMP said. The van eventually broke down.

48yo impaired driver drove a km w traffic lights before van broke down. Thankfully no injuries. Drive Sober. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rcmpmb?src=hash">#rcmpmb</a> <a href="https://t.co/tN8IZ6KhOS">pic.twitter.com/tN8IZ6KhOS</a> —@rcmpmb

"The vehicle's transmission had actually blown out due to the collision," RCMP spokesperson Robert Cyrenne said, adding investigators don't really understand how the van was able to keep going with the heavy light on its hood.

"This is a unique situation and a little bit distressing as well to see drivers this impaired, go to this level of danger to try to get home, rather than just plan a safe ride home."

The driver, whose blood alcohol content registered at twice the legal limit, was apparently heading on his way home when he crashed, RCMP said.

The driver wasn't injured but was charged with impaired driving.

"It's just a matter of luck that no one got injured in this instance," he said. "It could have been a very dangerous situation for multiple people. It's lucky that no one got injured."

21 drunk drivers in 7 days

Cyrenne added that investigators have seen a lot of drunk drivers on the road this holiday season.

Between Dec. 15 and Dec. 21, RCMP pulled over 1,859 vehicles and charged 21 drivers for impaired driving. During the same period last year, RCMP stopped 2,794 vehicles and charged 18 drivers with impaired driving. Despite pulling over 935 fewer vehicles this year in that same time span, there were still three more drunk driving offences this year.

Cyrenne said the average blood alcohol level for those charged with impaired driving this year is currently at 0.195, which is about 2½ times higher than the legal limit.

"The message here is to drive sober and plan an alternate ride home if you think you're still impaired," he added.