Three drivers were found to be impaired and 28 highway traffic charges were laid locally during the second weekend of the RCMP’s holiday check stop program.

 

250 vehicles were checked this past weekend, 10 times more than were stopped during the first weekend of the program.

 

Constable Sandy Deibert, from the Thompson RCMP detachment, spoke to Arctic Radio News and said that one of the impaired drivers was arrested for impaired driving, and blew over twice the legal limit when asked for a further sample. The vehicle she was driving was impounded, and officers issued several tickets including having open liquor in the vehicle and driving without a licence.

 

In a different traffic stop, Constable Deibert said that a vehicle was pulled over for driving without any running lights in the dark, and then failing to advance at a green light. The woman admitted to drinking liquor to the members who pulled her over.

 

Over the period, there was also a speed-related incident near Grand Rapids, MB. The driver was pulled over for going 158km/h in a 100km/h zone, stating that he was looking at miles per hour rather than kilometres per hour. The driver was handed an $809 ticket and will have a licence review with Manitoba Public insurance.

 

Constable Deibert added that everyone needs to remember that there are options to arriving home safely, such as a cab, using a designated driver, walking, or Operation Red Nose.

 

As of this past Tuesday, a new law is in place which allows officers to demand a breath sample from any driver without suspicion of impairment by alcohol in an approved screening device.