The final week of the RCMP Christmas Selective Traffic Enforcement / Checkstop program from December 28, 2009 to January 4, 2010 resulted in numerous charges.
3152 vehicles being checked across the province of Manitoba during 94 Checkstops/roving patrols. As a result of those vehicles checked, 11 people were charged with either impaired driving or drive over .08. when requested, 5 drivers refused to provide a breath sample.
The average blood/alcohol reading was 183 mgs% (0.183 ), which is more than twice the legal limit. The highest reading was 230 mgs% (0.230), nearly three times the legal limit. The consistently high averages remain a concern, as people with such high readings have lost a great deal of their motor skills and are a danger on our roadways.
During the same period of the 2008/2009 program, there were 50 people charged for impaired driving related offences during 207 check stops.
Other stats for the final week of the 2009/2010 program saw 9 – 24 hour roadside suspensions. 16 people were charged for not wearing their seatbelts and an additional 462 other statute (mostly provincial) charges laid.
There were no fatal motor vehicle collisions during the final week of the Christmas Checkstop Program.
The four week total shows that 18,918 vehicles have been checked during 448 check stops, with a total of 105 persons charged for criminal code impaired violations and a further 54 persons having their driver licences suspended for 24 hours as a result of roadside screening for alcohol consumption. There have been eight fatal collisions resulting in the death of eight persons and 66 injury collisions reported. 257 persons have been charged with failing to wear seatbelts and an additional 2489 other statute (mostly HTA) charges laid.
This compares with 20,581 vehicles checked during 623 Checkstops in 2008/2009, which resulted in a total of 172 impaired/over .08 and refusal charges, with 69 – 24 hr suspensions issued. There were 5 fatal crashes resulting in 6 persons being killed. 222 seatbelt charges and 2300 other statute charges (majority HTA) were processed.
Sgt. Wayne Blackmore
RCMP D Division Traffic Services
Ph: 984-4731
