EDMONTON — Alberta RCMP say 50 impaired drivers were removed from the province’s roads during a weekend enforcement blitz held as part of National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day, though none of the impaired drivers identified were from the Wood Buffalo region.
Checkstops were conducted across Alberta on Saturday, leading to 28 Immediate Roadside Sanction fails, 13 warns and six zero tolerance sanctions involving novice or commercial drivers. Police also issued 328 tickets, including five for distracted driving and 54 for speeding. Twelve injury collisions occurred during the enforcement period, though no deaths were reported.
In Fort McMurray, officers with Wood Buffalo RCMP’s Municipal Traffic Services joined provincial traffic units and Alberta Sheriffs for local checkstops. More than 300 motorists were screened using mandatory alcohol testing and all were found to be sober. Officers issued 19 provincial tickets and 13 traffic warnings but reported no impaired drivers.
Sgt. Jan Indenbosch says the goal is to encourage responsible choices as the holiday season begins, noting police want everyone to “make it home this Christmas.”
RCMP traffic officials say impaired driving remains a leading cause of serious crashes and warn that the weekend results reflect broader trends on Alberta roads. Sgt. Darrin Turnbull says enforcement campaigns are a reminder of the risks and urges anyone who sees a suspected impaired driver to call 911.
National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day also marked the launch of enhanced holiday checkstops, which will continue throughout December.
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