Alberta RCMP removed a total of 173 impaired drivers from the roads, 42 of which occurred during National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day across 36 organized check stops from May 17 to May 20.

"In part of National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day on Saturday, May 18, police efforts this past Victoria Day long weekend focused on removing drug and alcohol-impaired drivers from Alberta’s provincial roads and highways," police stated in a release on Friday. 

The consequences for impaired driving include a 90-day suspension, one year of mandatory ignition interlock, a 30-day vehicle seizure, a $1,000 fine, and a criminal record.

"While we promote safe driving behaviours all year round, we want to enhance this messaging and our enforcement efforts during holidays or long weekends when more people are out on our roadways,” said Sgt. Vinnie Hetu, Alberta RCMP Traffic. "Impaired driving is a danger to yourself and others. Always plan a safe, sober ride accordingly."

Before the May long weekend, Mounties said that in partnership with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, police would be promoting safe driving behaviours as part of Canada Road Safety Week 

The annual campaigns aim to reduce roadway collisions, injuries, and deaths by promoting public compliance with safe driving measures, especially during the Victoria Day long weekend. For 2024, the RCMP will be focusing enforcement efforts on behaviours that present serious risk to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

"In 2023, the Alberta RCMP removed 7,707 impaired drivers from provincial roadways, an average of 21 impaired drivers per day," Sgt. Darrin Turnbull of the Alberta RCMP Traffic Services unit stated.

During last year’s Canada Road Safety Week alone, RCMP officers removed 205 impaired motorists from Alberta’s streets and highways.

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