Battlefords RCMP is encouraging the community to practice safe driving.
National Safe Driving Week started on Sunday, December 1, and runs until Saturday, December 7. This week has been designed to strengthen awareness of impaired driving, and keeping local roads safe.
Battlefords RCMP Staff Sergeant Darcy Woolfitt, says they want to alert drivers that police will be out enforcing criminal codes for impaired driving on Saturday, November 7.
“It’s a week of dedicated work across the country, in order to prevent impaired driving and distracted driving to keep our roads and community safe. This initiative is a follow up from other quarterly initiative that we do throughout the year to combat impaired driving and distracted driving.”
Other groups that are bringing awareness to the risks of impaired and distracted driving are SGI, MADD, SADD, local government, some school boards and provincial and community organizations.
“That includes alcohol, cannabis, prescription medication, illicit drugs and, or, distracted driving, with a combination. In order the public is fully aware that this is a high season for police interaction with drivers on the roadway.”
Saturday, December 7, is National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day. Battlefords RCMP will be working along with F Division Combined Traffic Services Sections.
“The emphasis is placed on that day, in order to raise public awareness, and ensure that if there are people out there that are breaking the law that we are apprehending them before they’re involved in a collision or any type of motor vehicle offense,” says Woolfitt.
In 2019, the Battlefords RCMP have charged 90 drivers with impaired driving. One hundred and nine drivers were charged in 2018 in the Battlefords Detachment area.
RCMP says incidents that involve alcohol, drugs, distracted driving or a combination are the root cause for tragedies on the highways. Volunteering as a designated driver, calling for a safe ride home or reporting impaired drivers to 9-1-1, will help reduce any accidents.
Woolfitt mentions the Battlefords RCMP are fully supportive of Operation Red Nose, a national road safety campaign. In the Battlefords, anyone can call 306-480-9876 or 309-480-9879 to receive a safe ride from provided by members of the Lions Club.