The 2011/12 Christmas Checkstop program will begin at noon today and will continue to midnight on January 1, 2012.
This holiday season, in an effort to reduce the number of injuries and deaths on our roadways, RCMP will, through visibility, education and enforcement, get the message out to the motoring public.
All Traffic Services Units and All Detachments in Manitoba we be participating in the program.
The Christmas Checkstop Program remains focused on “High Risk Drivers” – impaired driving by the detection of alcohol and substance abuse. Impaired drivers and drivers and passengers who fail to wear seatbelts through detection at checkstops as well as during other regular patrol duties.
During last year’s campaign, Manitoba RCMP members checked over 25,000 vehicles during 640 Checkstops around the province. Those Checkstops resulted in 120 drivers being arrested for impaired driving (includes impaired driving, driving over .08 and refusal). An additional 47 drivers were issued 24-hour alcohol-related roadside suspensions. Three people died in December 2010, one of them as a result of impaired driving.
The Christmas/New Years check stop program has the goal that Manitoba’s roads are the safest in Canada and that everyone has a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
The RCMP wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday.
