Saskatchewan RCMP say more than 500 vehicles checked in traffic safety initiative

Saskatchewan RCMP say their Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan teams checked more than 500 vehicles during proactive traffic safety initiatives in central and northern parts of the province earlier this month.

Police say the enforcement efforts took place between Jan. 14 and Jan. 18, focusing on unsafe driving behaviours, including drug- and alcohol-impaired driving.

RCMP say Melfort and Prince Albert CTSS teams conducted patrols from Melfort to La Ronge and surrounding areas between Jan. 16 and Jan. 18. Officers checked about 80 vehicles and carried out roughly 80 mandatory alcohol screening tests.

Police say the patrols led to 10 roadside licence suspensions after drivers were found to have recently consumed alcohol or drugs, and four drivers were charged with alcohol- or drug-related impaired driving under the Criminal Code. Sixteen vehicles and one all-terrain vehicle were impounded. Officers also issued 71 tickets and 111 warnings.

At the same time, Saskatoon and Maidstone CTSS teams conducted a traffic initiative in the Lloydminster, Maidstone, Onion Lake, Turtleford, Cut Knife and Battlefords detachment areas. RCMP say officers checked about 430 vehicles between Jan. 14 and Jan. 18, issuing 302 tickets and 311 warnings.

Police say one driver was charged with alcohol-related impaired driving under the Criminal Code and 31 roadside licence suspensions were issued after drivers were found to have recently consumed alcohol or drugs.

Saskatchewan Highway Patrol officers with the Provincial Protective Services Branch assisted with a check stop held Jan. 15 and 16 in the Maidstone detachment area, RCMP say.

“These numbers represent only a snapshot of the work our CTSS teams — alongside detachments across Saskatchewan — do every day to keep our roads safe,” Insp. Lee Knelsen, operations officer with Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services, said in a news release. “Every vehicle we stop gives officers an opportunity to prevent a serious incident, such as identifying a potential impaired driver.”