Alberta RCMP are reminding everyone that impaired driving, whether by alcohol or drug, could cost you your life or the lives of others. In support of National Impaired Driving Prevention Week, which takes place March 18th to 24th, police will be conducting CheckStops throughout the week all across the province
Sgt. Sarah Parke is with the Bonnyville RCMP, she says police are always on the look out and help from the public can keep the roads safe too.
“We can collect information in a variety of ways. Either the officers themselves, pulling in behind a suspect and observing their driving habits. We can also get information from the public themselves, who can make these observations and call it in to us and help us pursue that avenue.”
This week, the RCMP, in partnership with Alberta Traffic Sheriffs will be seen increasingly on Alberta roads. Police trained to conduct Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and as Drug Recognition Experts will be at CheckStops to raise awareness and to take drivers, impaired by drugs or alcohol, off the road. Drivers suspected of being impaired will be asked to take road-side sobriety tests that may result in immediate licence suspensions and/or criminal charges.
Sgt. Parke says the message is simple, and should be iron in the public’s mind.
“If you’ve been drinking, don’t drive. Plan ahead. If you know you’re gonna be drinking, plan ahead for a safe ride home at the end of the night.”
In 2017, Alberta RCMP issued 4,290 impaired driving violations and 1,758 roadside suspensions.