Vermilion RCMP Traffic Services Seeking Assistance from the Public to Apprehend Habitual Impaired Drivers

Targeting impaired driving continues to be a strategic priority for the RCMP in an effort to reduce or stop collisions resulting in injury or death. Persons who decide to drive while impaired continue to be at increased risk of being in a fatal collision, and that risk increases exponentially as the person’s Blood Alcohol Concentration increases. Locally, impaired driving continues to injure or kill Albertans. Between 2012 and 2016, one in six drivers involved in a fatal collision in Alberta had been drinking prior to the collision. Furthermore, substance abuse continues to bring costs to Alberta into the billions.

Vermilion RCMP Traffic Services presently patrols roadways in and around Vermilion, Kitscoty, Lloydminster, Wainwright, Provost and Viking. While we continue to target impaired driving through traditional means, we are looking for assistance from the public to apprehend habitual impaired drivers. A habitual impaired driver would be an individual who may or may not have multiple prior Criminal convictions for impaired driving and continues to re-offend. Some of these individuals can go undetected by police for various reasons including an ability to hide their indicia or signs of impairment well. Not only do we want to hold these persons accountable, but we also want to direct them to resources to rehabilitate them in the event that they may have an issue with substance abuse.

We recognize that the public plays an essential role and is our partner in making the roadways safer. While we strongly encourage the public to report in progress events of suspected impaired driving immediately by calling 9-1-1, we recognize that some members of the public may have intimate knowledge of someone they know who habitually drives while impaired. We further appreciate that they may be reluctant to report those persons to police out of fear that they may be named in judicial proceedings or may have to testify in court.

As a means to facilitate identification of habitual impaired drivers the Vermilion RCMP is requesting the public, that if they have knowledge of a habitual impaired driver that they report that individual through Crime Stoppers. When making a report the following information would be beneficial to the investigation:

• name, gender identity, age/date of birth, current address, and other identifying features such as tattoos
• Vehicle information such as make, model, year, colour, licence plate, and other identifying features such as accessories or decals; and
• Subject patterns such as employer/work schedule, places frequented, and known associates

Vermilion RCMP Traffic Services encourage the public to report any criminal or suspicious activity.  Reports tell us where to look, who to look for, and where to patrol in the future. If you see a crime in progress, dial 911. If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.