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

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

To ensure road safety, officers enforced traffic laws, including the tougher provincial penalties for drunk drivers with a blood alcohol content 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.

Integrated Traffic Unit members were also on Highway 63, where 16 new RCMP and Alberta traffic sheriffs will be in place by early 2013. The first two of those additional officers are already patrolling the highway and surrounding areas, with the remaining to be added over the coming months.

From Friday, August 3, to Monday, August 6, RCMP members, Alberta traffic sheriffs, conservation officers, fish and wildlife officers as well as commercial vehicle enforcement officers, issued 5,140 tickets for offences ranging from dangerous driving to speeding. Among the charges were:

• 35 impaired driving charges, 202 other alcohol-related violations and 29 24-hour suspensions for alcohol or drug use;
• 3,556 speeding violations;
• 38 distracted driving violations;
• 55 intersection-related infractions;
• 43 hazardous violations including dangerous driving;
• 210 seatbelt or child restraint infractions; and
• 666 violations ranging from having no insurance to driving while suspended.

Of the above charges, 881 were laid in the Highway 63 corridor, including:

• one impaired driving charge, 22 other alcohol-related violations and eight 24-hour suspensions for alcohol or drug use;
• 655 speeding violations;
• three intersection-related infractions;
• five distracted driving violations;
• 19 hazardous violations including dangerous driving;
• 13 seatbelt or child restraint infractions; and
• 155 violations ranging from having no insurance to driving while suspended.

Alberta’s traffic safety partners continue to make our highways safer by focusing on the four most dangerous driving activities: impaired driving; not using seatbelts; speeding; and proceeding unsafely through intersections. This month they are targeting impaired drivers because statistics show August has a consistently high number of alcohol-related traffic deaths, and drivers in fatal collisions are four times more likely to be impaired or have consumed alcohol than drivers in non-fatal collisions.

Over the long weekend, commercial vehicle enforcement officers also handed out 37 tickets to unsafe truck drivers for violations such as mechanical defects and overloading.

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.

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

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

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