The third week of the RCMP Christmas Checkstop program from December 21, 2009 to December 27, 2009 has resulted in numerous charges.
3135 vehicles being checked across the Province of Manitoba during 91 Checkstops/roving patrols. Of those vehicles checked, 21 people were charged with either impaired driving or drive over .08 and another 3 persons were charged with refusing to provide a breath sample, for a total of 24 criminal code impaired violations.
The average blood/alcohol reading was 160 mgs%(0.160) which is twice the legal limit and the highest reading was 260 mgs% (0.260), more three times the legal limit.
Other stats for the third week of the 2009/2010 program saw six – 24 hour roadside suspensions, 35 people charged for not wearing their seatbelts and an additional 356 other statute charges (majority Highway Traffic Act) laid.
Weather and slippery road conditions resulted in five fatal collisions occurring, causing the death of five persons. There was no alcohol involved in any of the collisions and all the deceased were wearing seatbelts. The severity of the crashes caused the death of four persons, while the fifth person died from a medical condition triggered by the single vehicle rollover.
During the same period of the 2008/2009 program there were 45 people charged for impaired driving related offences.
The three week total shows that 15,641 vehicles have been checked with a total of 85 persons charged for criminal code impaired driving violations, with a further 45 persons having their driver licences suspended for 24 hours as a result of roadside screening for alcohol consumption. There have been eight fatal collisions and 56 injury collisions reported. 240 persons have been charged with failing to wear seatbelts and an additional 1986 other statute charges (mostly HTA) laid.
Sgt. Wayne Blackmore
RCMP D Division Traffic Services
(204) 984-4731
