‘Tis the #SeasonforCaring for each other out on the roads. The Alberta RCMP hopes that together we can all do our part to uphold traffic safety so that everyone arrives home to their loved ones for the holidays.
“The greatest gift you can give this holiday season is doing your share to help ensure everyone makes it safely home this time of year,” said Insp. Chris Romanchych, Alberta RCMP Traffic.
This holiday season drivers should remember the following before getting behind the wheel:
· Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol impairs your judgment and reaction time.
· Impaired driving is criminal and dangerous.
· Mandatory Alcohol Screening is used by Alberta RCMP to deter and detect impaired drivers. If you are pulled over or at a check stop, you can expect to provide a breath sample.
· Individuals with a Graduated Driver’s Licence must abide by the zero tolerance law (Government of Alberta, 2021).
· Impaired driving is always preventable. Plan ahead to have a safe ride home. Call a taxi or rideshare service, use a designated driver, or stay the night.
· Call 911 if you witness or suspect impaired driving.
It is important to understand that Mandatory Alcohol Screening permits police officers to demand that any lawfully-stopped driver provide a preliminary breath sample to test for alcohol without reasonable suspicion that the driver has alcohol in their body.
In 2021, Alberta RCMP removed 6,787 impaired drivers from Alberta roadways – which averages more than 18 impaired drivers per day.