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Alberta RCMP reminds everyone to enjoy the long weekend responsibly

Rocky Mountain House, AB, Canada / 94.5 Rewind Radio
Jordan Rein
Jun 28, 2024 | 10:50 AM
Alberta RCMP reminds everyone to enjoy the long weekend responsibly

(rdnewsNOW file photo)



With the Canada Day long weekend comes celebrations with friends, going camping, and spending time at the lake.As a result, Alberta RCMP would like to remind everyone that drinking is a choice that can have serious consequences.

On average in Alberta, one in five drivers involved in fatal collisions have been drinking prior to the collision. Mounties say this compares to an average of about one in 20 drivers involved in injury collisions (MADD Canada). During the 2023 July long weekend, in Alberta RCMP jurisdictions, 76 persons were injured in motor vehicle collisions and four people were fatally injured; a total of 117 impaired drivers were removed from the roads by Alberta RCMP that weekend.

Before getting behind the wheel this long weekend, motorists should remember:

  • Impaired driving is dangerous and criminal.
  • Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol impairs your judgment and reaction time.
  • Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS) is a tool used by Alberta RCMP to deter and detect impaired driving; drivers who refuse to provide a breath sample can be criminally charged.
  • Individuals with a Graduated Driver’s Licence must abide by the zero-tolerance law (Government of Alberta, 2021).
  • Impaired driving is always preventable. Plan ahead to have a safe ride home. Call a taxi or rideshare service, use a designated driver, or stay the night.

“It is important to remember that these laws apply to all motorized vehicles, including boats and off-highway vehicles (OHV),” says Sgt. Darrin Turnbull, Alberta RCMP Traffic. “With a summer long weekend comes the opportunity to spend time enjoying OHVs while camping or boating on the lake. In any case, you should never operate a motorized vehicle if you have been drinking or using cannabis. If you suspect someone is driving impaired, call 911.”

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