“D” Division RCMP members continued their focus on high risk driving behaviours, which puts drivers, passengers and other road users most at risk, during the October 9-12, 2009, Operation Impact, Canada’s National campaign to make our roads safer.
Over the long weekend, 24 persons were charged with driving while their ability was impaired by alcohol, an additional 11 persons had their driver’s licences suspended as a result of a roadside screening device, 90 persons were charged for not using their occupant restraint(seat belt) and 215 were charged for aspects related to aggressive driving by Manitoba RCMP members. One fatal motor vehicle collision was reported, resulting in the death of one driver. Weather conditions were the contributing factor in the collision. The driver was wearing a seatbelt, however, impact was to the driver area of the vehicle.
During the 2008 campaign 23 were charged for impaired driving, 146 for failing to wear their seatbelts, and 506 for aggressive driving. There were no fatal collisions during this period.
Educating the public in safe driving practices remains the priority of all RCMP Traffic Services Units and Detachments.
The Operation Impact imitative, as well as other programs such as the Christmas Checkstops, National Road Safety Week, Summer Speeding campaign, Roadwatch, etc., are all part of Road Safety Vision 2010, which has the goal of making Canada’s roads the safest in the world by 2010, and will continue to operate in coming years to reduce the dangers on our roadways.
Sgt. Wayne (W.G.) Blackmore
Traffic Services “D” Division RCMP
Headingley, MB
