LAKELAND - RCMP across Alberta stopped 121 impaired drivers on provincial roadways during the Victoria Day long weekend, including at least one from the St. Paul area.
From May 21 to 24, Alberta RCMP removed 121 impaired drivers from roads. In participation of National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day, which was May 22, RCMP were out patrolling the highways and apprehending motorists who were suspected to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
In the St. Paul area, Traffic Services observed a driver known to be on a five-year Canada-wide criminal driving prohibition. After initiating a vehicle stop, the driver was found to have eight outstanding warrants and was driving impaired, according to RCMP.
A total of 61 motorists received Immediate Roadside Sanction (IRS) FAILs for driving with blood alcohol concentrations of .08 or greater.
"It was the second or even third FAIL occurrence for six of these individuals," according to police.
Twenty-five drivers received IRS WARNs with blood alcohol concentrations of 0.05 to 0.079. As well, 23 motorists holding GDL licences were issued suspensions and vehicle seizures due to having blood alcohol concentrations greater than zero.
Albertans made several 911 calls to RCMP to report possible impaired driving. Nine of the calls resulted in the drivers being processed for impaired driving, while one call resulted in officers calling for an ambulance, as the motorist was not impaired but rather having a medical episode.
Other notable occurrences across the province included a vehicle check stop in Nordegg, Alta., where a GDL driver was found to have been drinking. The driver was issued an IRS ZERO: Novice, received a 30-day licence suspension and seven-day vehicle seizure.
In Whitecourt, a motorist was stopped for travelling 136 km/h in 110 km/h zone. The driver was subject to a mandatory alcohol screening and received an IRS CAUTION. This resulted in a three-day licence suspension and vehicle seizure, as well as a $300 fine and the $220 speeding ticket.
In Brooks, an impaired driver was reported to be travelling the wrong way on the Trans-Canada Highway. RCMP were able to locate the vehicle before anything tragic occurred.
