RCMP busy during Road Safety Week

Details

Published on Friday, May 29, 2015

By Sgt. Bert Paquet

Media Relations Officer

During the National Road Safety Week enforcement campaign, which ran May 12-18, Manitoba RCMP officers were at check stops throughout the province, focusing on high-risk driving behaviours. More than 100 check stops were conducted during the week, with 7,818 vehicles being checked. RCMP officers issued the following:20 impaired driving charges (including five impaired by drugs); 13 alcohol-related administrative suspensions and one drug-related administrative suspension; 35 charges for failing to wear seatbelts;  668 charges for speeding; 28 charges for using a handheld electronic device while driving; 345 other traffic-related charges; and eight prohibited/suspended drivers. One fatality occurred during Road Safety Week this year; last year there were four fatalities.

May 16 was also RCMP’s National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day. On that day, despite some miserable weather conditions, 2,464 vehicles were checked during 38 check stops, resulting in 12 drivers being charged with impaired driving offences under the Criminal Code, while an additional eight drivers received alcohol- or drug-related administrative suspensions.

For comparison, during the 2014 Road Safety Week campaign, members reported:38 impaired driving charges; 25 alcohol-related administrative suspensions; 39 charges for failing to wear seatbelts; 524 charges for speeding; nine charges for using a handheld electronic device while driving; 173 other traffic-related charges; and 17 prohibited/suspended drivers.

Educating the public in safe driving practices remains a priority of all RCMP Traffic Services units and detachments across Manitoba.Please make smart choices on the road so everyone can get home safely.