In an effort to make the end of the year safe for Alberta drivers, the RCMP carried out numerous enforcement initiatives during the holiday season.
According to the RCMP, between December 24th and January 1st, a total of 2,459 traffic tickets were issued across the province on top of the removal of 189 impaired drivers from the roads.
Media Relations Officer Corporal Matthew Howell says New Year’s was otherwise “normal” when it comes to traffic violations; however, the removal of 189 impaired drivers is an alarming number.
“We want less and less but unfortunately that doesn’t happen,” he says. “189 impaired drivers, that one is the only thing that jumps out at me, it’s still a decent amount compared to other long weekends around the fifties or sixties.”
Overall, 1,050 individuals were ticketed for speeding, with 15 of them ticketed for “excessive speeding” between 51 kilometres per hour over the speed limit, and one driver caught travelling 204 km/h in a 110 km/h zone.
Additionally, 1,354 drivers received tickets for violations such as careless driving, moving offences, and others.
