The numbers are out from the RCMP’s province wide check stop blitz earlier this month. While the total number of motorists that were charged with impaired driving was down from last year by 46, there was an increase in the number of roadside suspensions handed out for drugs and alcohol.
There were 74 more suspensions handed out for alcohol during the December 4 blitz and 34 more suspensions due to drugs. In total, more than 20,500 drivers were pulled over across the province, which was similar to the number of people stopped in the same province-wide check stops in 2014.
Superintendent Ian Lawson says that Albertans of all ages need to take more caution when it comes to getting behind the wheel while under the influence, adding that prescription drugs can be just as dangerous for drivers.
In total, check stop operations were held in 259 different locations during the blitz and more are planned throughout the holiday season.