The start of December means the start of holiday CheckStop season for RCMP Detachments in Alberta, including the Airdrie RCMP.

Constable Matt Gervais says they've already started CheckStops with the first one going Friday night.

"I can tell you that Friday night, two separate impaired drivers were taken off the roads as a result of the CheckStops."

Gervais says the Airdrie RCMP actually do CheckStops year round but they are a big part of the holiday season.  Yesterday (December 2) was National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day and the RCMP were out with the Calgary chapter of MADD Canada who were handing out red ribbon candy canes to reinforce the message to not drink and drive.

Gervais says they do have several CheckStops planned during the holiday season but they'll also be doing others.  "It's hard to say how many are going to be done.  I believe there's another six or so that are planned but it depends on the night.  Each different watch that's working will do spot CheckStops between calls if they have the time.  So there's always people out there."

Gervais says the people stopped in CheckStops, who are not impaired, have a wide range of reactions.  "There are people who believe that what we're doing during the CheckStops is a positive thing.  The odd person believes that it's a waste of their taxpayer dollars and believe that we should be out there focusing on break and enters and crimes like that.  For the most part, it's a positive interaction with people."

Impaired driving is the leading cause of death and injury on Alberta roads and Gervais says the message hasn't changed about impaired driving.

"The message has been the same.   It's just not worth it.  At the end of the day, taking a taxi or Uber ride share, calling a friend has so much more value to it than getting behind the wheel and risking your life and everyone else's life on the roadway.  For the average impaired driver you're looking at a minimum of a $1,200 fine and a year driving suspension, not to mention all your court costs and your lawyer.  To put it into perspective a $50 taxi ride that night is totally worth your money."

Holiday CheckStops will run throughout December. 

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