Alberta's traffic officers busy with impaired drivers

Recent fatal collisions involving impaired drivers highlight the horrific consequences of drinking and driving.

In the wake of several deadly crashes occurring on Alberta highways in December, Alberta's RCMP and Sheriffs Integrated Traffic Units (ITUs) are continuing to remind the public that impaired driving is illegal and potentially deadly.  To ensure the safety of all highway users, officers will be continuing with the Alberta Checkstop program throughout the holiday season.

Superintendent Howard Eaton, Officer in Charge K Division Traffic Services, says Most Albertans don't   drink and drive, but it appears that some people just don't get it!  These people continue to drive with a total disregard for the safety of others sharing the road, getting involved in collisions, injuring and killing innocent people.  When a loved one is killed because of an impaired driver, it is absolutely senseless and especially devastating during the holidays.  We all need to work together to stop this from happening.

James Stiles, Superintendent, Deputy Director, Sheriff Traffic Operations North, further added, During the holiday season everyone needs to do their part in keeping the roads safe.  Know your own limits, don't let friends drink and drive, don't get into a vehicle with a driver who has been drinking, and report any suspected impaired driver.  Our goal is to have everyone arrive safely at their destination.

RCMP Sergeant Brian Topham, a supervisor at the Integrated Traffic Unit in the Edmonton region says We've had a busy two weekends, arresting and charging 15 individuals for impaired driving and driving over .08 BAC since December 1st.  That's 15 people in four nights!  Our members throughout the province will continue to aggressively seek out impaired drivers and get them off the road during the holiday season in hope that we all enjoy a safe holiday.

As part of Alberta's Traffic Safety Plan, the Integrated Traffic Units provide an extra focus on impaired driving throughout the month of December. During this time Alberta Checkstops will be conducted at locations throughout the province.    


Facts and Statistics on Impaired Driving in Alberta

• As the severity of the collision increases, so does the likelihood that the collision involved a drinking driver.
• On average in Alberta, one in five drivers involved in fatal collisions had been drinking prior to the collision.
• Males between 18 and 24 years of age are most likely to have been drinking before a collision.
• Most casualty collisions involving alcohol occur on the weekends.
• The most likely time for these collisions is between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m.
• Drinking and driving collisions are often associated with long weekends.

Drinking and driving imposes enormous costs on our society. The true cost of drinking and driving is the victims:

• From 2006 to 2010, 569 people were killed and 8,530 people were injured in alcohol-related collisions.
• In 2010 alone, 96 people were killed and 1,384 were injured.

(Source: Government of Alberta Ministry of Transportation)

If someone observes a suspected impaired driver, call 911 to report the vehicle description, license plate, location and direction of travel to the 911 operator to allow officers to attempt to locate and stop the vehicle.  Ensure that the call is made from a safe location and that cell phones are only used in a hands-free mode of operation.


" Working Together for Safe Highways "