St. Albert RCMP netted 10 drivers breaking the law over the weekend during the kickoff to their impaired driving prevention campaign.
The holiday checkstop season impaired driving detection campaign started on Sunday and police are concerned about the number of motorists driving impaired.
On Nov. 27, over the span of 5 hours, RCMP said of the 600 vehicles they checked, ten people were removed from the road for either already being suspended drivers, contravening alcohol requirements of their licenses, or from failing roadside drug and/or alcohol screening, a press statement read.
“With the number of vehicles that were checked, the amount of drivers making the poor choice to drive after consuming drugs or alcohol is still concerning. The target is zero impaired drivers on our roadways in order to make sure everyone gets home safe,” said Cpl. Curtis Harsulla of St Albert RCMP Traffic Services in a press release.
There was a total of 16 officers conducting the “large-scale Alberta checkstop,” and included members from St. Albert RCMP Traffic Services, RCMP Provincial Traffic Services, Alberta Sheriffs-Highway Patrol, Alberta Sheriffs-Fish & Wildlife, and St. Albert Municipal Enforcement.
The team was screening motorists primarily for impaired driving offences, the press statement read.
Police said they laid numerous provincial charges which included operating an uninsured vehicle, open alcohol in a vehicle, and some Wildlife Act violations.
“This checkstop kicked off the holiday season impaired driving detection campaign for St. Albert RCMP and Municipal Enforcement Officers. Expect to see officers and checkstops throughout St. Albert from now into the New Year, placing extra focus on impaired drivers,” said police.
