Police are reminding motorists to not drink or do drugs and drive as it will be a point of emphasis for RCMP officers this month of December.

In the year 2021, Alberta RCMP removed 6787 impaired drivers from Alberta roadways.

With the enforcement rules, RCMP officers do not need to have suspicions that a driver has consumed alcohol in order to ask for a breath test or alcohol screening.

Plus, since 2020, there are new penalties for those found driving over the legal limit.

Increased impaired driving consequences under the new Immediate Roadside Sanction Program include: 

• Driver’s licence suspensions of 15 months for first offence, longer for repeat offenders; 
• First offence fines of $1,000, with increasing fines for repeat offenders; 
• Vehicle seizure of 30 days; 
• Mandatory education programs for offenders;
• Drivers can pay for the IIP after 90 days of suspension with extended periods of IIP for repeat offenders, and
• Depending on the circumstances, criminal code charges can still be laid by the police officer.

If you plan to drink or smoke cannabis, make sure to have a designated driver this holiday season.