The Alberta RCMP is cracking down on impaired drivers to reduce accidents this month.
“If you drive impaired, your luck will run out — you will get caught,” said James Stiles, an officer with the “K” Division Traffic Services. “Even worse, you may be involved in a severe collision that harms someone you love.”
August was chosen as the month to buckle down on impaired drivers as part of the province’s Traffic Safety Plan.
Impaired driving continues to be a significant and deadly problem in Canada. On average, four people are killed and another 200 are injured every day as a result of alcohol or drug related crashes.
Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death among Canada’s youth.
Impaired driving is the top traffic safety concern for the RCMP.
Stiles said the RCMP is dedicated to saving lives and reducing injuries.
Members work to improve public safety on highways through the enforcement of traffic laws, public education, roadside screening, and the use of radar equipment.
Specially trained collision investigators analyze and reconstruct serious motor vehicle accidents ensuring that collisions are thoroughly investigated.
These RCMP or university-trained police officers provide an in-depth analysis and reconstruction of major traffic collisions.
These reports are an integral part of the analysis of the cause behind crashes.
The RCMP is committed to ensuring safe homes and safe communities for Canadians. Safe roads are a critical component of this commitment, added Stiles.
“We are dedicated to improving public safety on our roads through enforcing provincial and federal legislation, education, awareness, engineering and the evaluation of programs to meet the demanding needs of our growing communities,” he said.
“The most devastating problem on our highways today is the impaired driver.”
In a national survey conducted by Transport Canada, it was determined that three per cent of night-time drivers were impaired between late night and early morning hours, Thursday through Sunday.
Coroner’s reports illustrate that these offenders account for 33 per cent of traffic fatalities among drivers every year.
“When motorists follow safe driving practices, the risks of death and injury, to themselves and others, become reduced,” he said.
“You have a lot to lose: your freedom, job, dignity, even your life.”
There are approximately 1,200 RCMP regular members performing traffic services on a permanent basis.
Every year in Canada, about 3,000 people die and an additional 19,000 are seriously injured in traffic collisions. Over 80 per cent of this carnage takes place in rural Canada with approximately 1,000 of these deaths occurring in RCMP jurisdictions.
For more information, visit www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca
