More than 600 tickets were handed out to Grande Prairie drivers throughout a month-long holiday traffic safety blitz by the Grande Prairie RCMP.
Sergeant Shawn Graham says of the drivers handed sanctions, 56 were ticketed for speeding, 33 motorists were allegedly caught distracted driving, and 43 drivers reported to be impaired were removed from the roads. He adds eight novice drivers were issued Immediate Roadside Sanctions.
Graham says removing impaired drivers off the road is a success, and is beneficial for all other users of the road.
“Ultimately, no matter what month of the year, that’s the goal, and things like this continue throughout the rest of the year, with special operations and things happening, and when infractions are observed, people are going to address them.”
Graham says, however, he would like to spotlight those who were thinking ahead during a traditionally busy holiday season, with the vast majority of drivers across the municipality making the right choice.
“The majority of people out there are getting driver services that take their vehicle, or taxis, or have sober drivers,” he says. “I think that’s commendable about the vast amount of drivers we checked that were driving safely.”
Of all the tickets handed out, 117 drivers also received tickets for traffic safety violations including careless driving, driving with a prohibited or suspended licence, and moving offences.