Fewer impaired charges over holiday season
January 4, 2018, 9:25 am
Between December 24, 2017 and January 1, 2018, Saskatchewan RCMP conducted targeted enforcement throughout the province to find impaired drivers. Throughout the course of this targeted enforcement,
· 21 individuals were charged with Impaired Operation over 80mg% of a Motor Vehicle
· 0 individuals refused a breath sample (considered the same as blowing over 80mg%)
· 8 individuals received an alcohol-related roadside suspension
By comparison, over the same period of time last year (December 24, 2016 – January 1, 2017),
· 29 individuals were charged with Impaired Operation over 80mg% of a Motor Vehicle
· 3 individuals refused a breath sample (considered the same as blowing over 80mg%)
· 14 individuals received an alcohol-related roadside suspension
While these numbers are an improvement over last year, Saskatchewan RCMP would like to remind citizens that even one impaired driver is too many, and encourage everyone to plan a safe ride home, no matter what time of year it is.
Week Four of the RCMP Holiday Checkstop Program in Manitoba from December 25, 2017, to January 1, 2018, has resulted in 1366 vehicles checked across Manitoba during 22 Checkstops.
Combined results from both checkstops and regular patrols include:
· 21 people charged with a Criminal Code Impaired Driving offence
· The highest blood/alcohol reading reported was 190 mgs% (0.190 – over twice the legal limit).
· 5 alcohol related tiered administrative roadside suspensions
· 208 traffic related provincial statute (Highway Traffic Act) charges laid (majority for speeding and seatbelt offences) along with 130 warnings for various offences
· 10 Liquor & Gaming Control Act (LGCA) offences
· 9 Other Criminal Code Driving offences
There were no traffic related fatalities during the fourth week of the program.
Last year during week four, there were no traffic-related fatalities. RCMP officers conducted 41 checkstops, checking 2179 vehicles. The combination of checkstops and regular patrol resulted in 32 people being charged with Criminal Code Impaired Driving offences.
