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‘Tis the season to share holiday traffic safety tips

The RCMP will focus on identifying and removing impaired drivers

The RCMP encourages Albertans to enjoy the season to the fullest while keeping in mind additional safety risks associated with the holidays, particularly when it comes to impaired driving. The RCMP will focus on identifying and removing impaired drivers from our roads throughout the holidays.

On Dec. 7, 2019, the Alberta RCMP participated in National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day, a Canada-wide RCMP initiative aimed at removing impaired drivers off our roads. Alberta RCMP checked a total of 10,960 vehicles. From this day alone, 48 individuals face charges for impaired operation of a motor vehicle by alcohol while four individuals face charges for impaired operation of a motor vehicle by drugs.

Checkstops serve as a visible reminder to the public that it is never okay to drive impaired. Possible signs of an impaired driver include:

· Weaving from one side of lane to the other;

· Taking extremely wide turns;

· Driving at inconsistent speeds without headlights;

· Failing to lower high beams or leaving turn signals on;

· Approaching or leaving intersections too quickly or slowly.

Call 911 immediately if you suspect someone is driving impaired.

This holiday season, please take time to plan for a sober ride from and to your destinations and encourage others to do the same. There are many safe options available for you – take public transit, call a cab, or arrange for a designated driver.

The Alberta RCMP will continue to work with Alberta Sheriffs and other law enforcement and safety partners to ensure Albertans make the right driving decisions. Follow our traffic safety tips on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and Twitter @RCMPAlberta.

- Submitted by RCMP Media Relations



Emily Jaycox

About the Author: Emily Jaycox

I’m Emily Jaycox, the editor of Ponoka News and the Bashaw Star. I’ve lived in Ponoka since 2015 and have over seven years of experience working as a journalist in central Alberta communities.
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