Law enforcement officers crack down on unsafe behaviour over the July long weekend

Alberta law enforcement officers were out in force to encourage drivers and those enjoying Alberta’s parks and forested areas to be responsible over the Canada Day long weekend. 

To ensure road safety, officers enforced traffic laws, including the introduction of tougher provincial penalties for drunk drivers with a BAC over .08, conducted check stops and off-highway vehicle compliance checks. Many of the traffic-related charges were issued by RCMP and Alberta traffic sheriffs, working together in Integrated Traffic Units.
Public information activities were also stepped up to encourage responsible use of highways, public lands and parks, and inform the public about safe recreation practices, and regulations.

From Friday, June 29, to Monday, July 2, RCMP members, Alberta traffic sheriffs, conservation officers, fish and wildlife officers as well as commercial vehicle enforcement officers, issued 4,518 tickets for offences ranging from dangerous driving to speeding. Among the charges were:

• 15 impaired driving charges, 60 other alcohol-related violations and 19 24-hour suspensions for alcohol or drug use;
• 2,973 speeding violations;
• 34 distracted driving violations;
• 51 intersection-related infractions;
• 59 hazardous violations including dangerous driving;
• 188 seatbelt or child restraint infractions; and
• 539 violations ranging from having no insurance to driving while suspended.

Of those charges, 299 were laid in the Highway 63 corridor, including:

• two impaired driving charges, 19 other alcohol-related violations and four 24-hour suspensions for alcohol or drug use;
• 198 speeding violations;
• two intersection-related infractions;
• six hazardous violations including dangerous driving;
• 12 seatbelt or child restraint infractions; and
• 56 violations ranging from having no insurance to driving while suspended.
• Commercial vehicle enforcement officers also handed out 26 tickets to unsafe truck drivers for mechanical defects, and four for overloading.

Every year, thousands of campers enjoy the July long weekend in Alberta’s beautiful outdoors. While the great majority of Albertans respect the need to drive safely and use campgrounds responsibly, Alberta’s resource enforcement officers are a key element to ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone. They laid a range of charges for unsafe activities in the province’s campgrounds and public recreation areas, including:

• 190 charges for violations relating to the Fisheries Act such as exceeding fishing quotas and fishing without a licence; and
• 43 parks-related offences such as noise complaints.

More information on Alberta's impaired driving penalties is online at www.knowthelimits.ca.