’Tis the season for impaired driving awareness.
After several impaired driving charges laid this month the police would like to remind residents to plan a safe ride home during the upcoming holiday season.
In November there were several incidents of impaired driving.
A woman was charged with impaired driving last weekend after being pulled over in a check stop.
The 32-year-old from St. Albert was caught driving impaired during a Nov. 19 check stop set up from midnight until 2 a.m. It was set up on the north and southbound lanes of St. Albert Trail where around 450 vehicles were stopped.
A second woman, a 26-year-old from Vimy, was also handed a 30-day suspension of her license. She had consumed alcohol while still on her graduated driver’s license. There is zero tolerance for consuming alcohol while on the graduated license.
Earlier this month in a separate incident an impaired driver lead to a crash on Inglewood Drive and Boudreau Road.
At 2:30 p.m. a Nissan Altima crossed the centre line of a two-lane roadway and hit a pickup truck stopped at a red light. 49-year-old St. Albert resident Jarrad Friedenberger has been charged with impaired driving over .08, operation of a motor vehicle by alcohol and driving to the left of centre on a roadway.
He will appear in court on Dec. 12.
The St. Albert RCMP would like to remind residents to get home safely during the holiday season.
"We hope the message is getting through to those at greatest risk, don't become a statistic,” Const. Yelena Avoine said. “If you’re planning to drink, then arrange for a designated driver beforehand, call a taxi or a sober friend, or take transit. When you drink and drive, you not only risk your life but those of others on the road. With so many options to get home safely, there is no excuse to drive while impaired.
Impaired driving charges carry a minimum fine of $1,000 and a one-year license suspension for a first offence.
In December 2014 seven people were charged with impaired driving in St. Albert. The police issued 11 roadside suspensions for 24 hours. In Dec. 2015, five drivers were charged with impaired driving and two 24-hour suspensions were handed out.
"It is also important to be mindful when hosting gatherings, especially during this holiday season that your guests have a safe ride home," Const. Beth McIntosh said.
Police are asking the public to report any impaired driving by calling 911.
