Arrive alive this holiday season

The holidays are a time spent creating memories and unwrapping moments with loved ones. This December, through traffic education and enforcement initiatives, the Alberta RCMP is working to ensure you and yours arrive home safely.

The RCMP is promoting sober driving through National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day on Saturday, Dec. 4. As part of the annual, Canada-wide initiative, Alberta RCMP will be patrolling our provincial highways and conducting check stops, removing impaired drivers from the roadways.

The Alberta RCMP asks motorists to remember the following:

• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol impairs your judgment and reaction time.
• Impaired driving is criminal and dangerous.
• Mandatory Alcohol Screening is used by Alberta RCMP to deter and detect impaired drivers. If you are pulled over or at a check stop, you can expect to provide a breath sample.
• Individuals with a Graduated Driver’s Licence must abide by the zero tolerance law (Government of Alberta, 2021).
• Impaired driving is always preventable and can always be avoided. Call a taxi or rideshare service, use a designated driver, or stay the night.
• Call 911 if you witness or suspect impaired driving.

“In December 2020, a total of 560 impaired drivers were removed from the roads,” says Supt. Gary Graham, Alberta RCMP Traffic Services. “Every time you get behind the wheel under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you not only risk your own safety, but also the safety of others. Don’t be the reason someone doesn’t make it home for the holidays.”

Also don’t forget to buckle up. County of Vermilion River Fire Chief Kirk Hughes told Lakeland Connect from his personal experience, that he has seen survivable collisions end up in fatalities because the occupants were not wearing seatbelts.

“Without the seatbelt holding you back and into position, the body is slammed in every direction from the impact, and if the vehicle rolls, the potential trauma to the neck and spine increases exponentially,” Fire Chief Hughes said. “In severe cases, the unbelted occupant will be ejected from the vehicle, thrown onto the pavement, where the vehicle could roll on top of them, or they can be struck by another vehicle.”

Fire Chief Kirk Hughes says, “The safest place, for the most part, is restrained into the car seat which has been engineered for it’s survivability in a crash.”

Arrive alive this holiday season, wear your seatbelt and don’t drink and drive.