The first week of the RCMP Christmas Checkstop program from December 1, 2008 to December 8, 2008 has resulted in numerous charges.
3318 vehicles being checked across the Province of Manitoba during 93 checkstops. Of those vehicles checked, 30 persons were charged with either Impaired Driving, Drive Over .08 or Refusing a breath test.
The average blood/alcohol reading was 130 mgs%(0.13), which is approaching twice the legal limit.
There were two fatal motor vehicle collisions, one involving a vehicle which rear ended a tractor trailer unit during poor road visibility conditions (no alcohol was involved) and caused the death of a passenger in the vehicle. The passenger was wearing a seatbelt, however, died as a result of severe crush to the vehicle. The second collision was as a result of a three vehicle collision in which two passenger in one of the vehicles were killed, neither was wearing a seatbelt. Use of seatbelts may have prevented the fatalities. Alcohol was a factor in the collision but not in the vehicle where the fatalities occurred.
Other stats from the 2008/2009 program saw:
Fifteen (15) – 24 hour roadside suspensions compared to five (5) last year.
62 people were charged for not wearing their seatbelts and an additional 484 other provincial statute charges laid.
In comparison, during the first week of the 2007 campaign, 2347 vehicles were checked with 18 persons being charged for impaired driving.
Contact:
Sgt. Wayne Blackmore
Traffic Services
Ph: 984-4731
Cel: 299-5162
