LPS checkstop. (Lethbridge News Now)

By Abby Zieverink

National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day

RCMP promoting sober driving as holiday season approaches

Dec 3, 2021 | 11:43 AM

With the holidays approaching, the RCMP is asking motorists to stay away from the wheel if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

With the first Saturday in December marking National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day, and the holiday season ramping up, Sgt. Darrin Turnbull with the Alberta RCMP Traffic Services is reminding residents there will be an increased number of officers on the roads, to help ensure motorists arrive home safely this season.

“We have officers who have been rescheduled and called in on their days off for the weekend shift for the month of December, particularly this Saturday, December 4 for the National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day,” Turnbull explained.

Turnbull tells EverythingGP impaired driving is one of the leading causes of serious injury and fatal collisions throughout the province and the country.

In December 2020, Turnbull says RCMP officers removed 560 impaired drivers from Alberta roads, which he notes, is nearly one every hour for the month of December.

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“And that’s just from the RCMP removing impaired drivers off the roadways in Alberta.”

“You also have Edmonton City Police, Calgary City Police, Lethbridge City Police, Alberta Sheriffs, and all of our other enforcement agencies here in Alberta who are all working hard to keep the roadways safe, so that number is probably much higher because we’re just talking about Alberta RCMP.”

With that, he hopes motorists always plan ahead to ensure they have a safe ride home.

“Make decisions before you start drinking, because if you have been drinking, sometimes mistakes are made because alcohol affects your ability to make a good decision,” Turnbull stated.

If a motorist does get caught driving under the influence, Turnbull says the driver could face a variety of charges with the most common being the Alberta Provincial Sanction called an IRS: FAIL (immediate roadside sanction fail).

“If you come through a check stop and provide a failure into the roadside screening device then immediately you receive a 15-month driving suspension,” Turnbull added.

“Now, you can shorten that 15-month driving suspension, by doing the last 12 months of doing ignition interlock, but, you have to pay for that program yourself.”

He explains the vehicle would also be impounded for 30 days, which comes with a $1,000 fine.

However, Turnbull says officers may also look at the totality of the impaired driving situation and proceed with criminal charges in addition to the provincial sanction.

“We recommend if you’re drinking at all, any amount of alcohol, don’t risk it, don’t get behind the wheel, don’t drive, and plan ahead to have yourself a safe ride home.”

The Alberta RCMP asks motorists to remember:

• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol impairs your judgment and reaction time.
• Impaired driving is criminal and dangerous.
• Mandatory Alcohol Screening is used by Alberta RCMP to deter and detect impaired drivers. If you are pulled over or at a check stop, you can expect to provide a breath sample.
• Individuals with a Graduated Driver’s Licence must abide by the zero-tolerance law (Government of Alberta, 2021).
• Impaired driving is always preventable and can always be avoided. Call a taxi or rideshare service, use a designated driver, or stay the night.
• Call 911 if you witness or suspect impaired driving.