The first week of the RCMP Christmas Checkstop program from December 4, 2009 to December 13, 2009 has resulted in numerous charges.
4698 vehicles being checked across the Province of Manitoba during 79 check stops. Of those vehicles checked, 37 persons were charged with either Impaired Driving, Drive Over .08 or Refusing a breath test.
The average blood/alcohol reading was 140 mgs% (0.14), which is approaching twice the legal limit.
There was one fatal motor vehicle collision which resulted from the loss of control of the vehicle on slippery roads. The vehicle left the road and became submerged in a river(no alcohol was involved). The driver was the lone occupant in the vehicle.
Other stats from the first week of the program saw:
18 roadside suspensions (24 hours) issued compared to 15 last year.
95 people were charged for not wearing their seatbelts and an additional 612 other provincial statute charges laid.
During the first week of the 2008 campaign, 2347 vehicles were checked with 18 persons being charged for impaired driving and 61 persons charged for not wearing seatbelts.
Insp. Mark LeMaistre
Officer In Charge
RCMP D Division Traffic Services
Tel: (204)983-1218
Sgt. Wayne Blackmore
RCMP D Division Traffic Services
Tel: (204) 984-4731
