While local RCMP officers received a welcome reprieve over the Christmas holidays in general and New Year’s Eve in particular, the same cannot be said for other officers in other Detachments throughout Alberta.
“Myself and Constable Bentz were working on New Year’s Eve and the night went fairly quiet for us,” said Cst. Holly Mueller of the local Detachment. “We spent most of our time between the two bars and at the Community Centre where they were holding a dance, and there wasn’t much for traffic or other things going on.”
Mueller added that between herself and her partner, neither issued impaired driving charges, 24-hour suspensions or even demanded breath samples from anyone but was quick to add most people had either stayed at home, left the community for the evening or found a ride home.
“I’m not sure if people were having house parties or went to Red Deer, but the town was fairly quiet. Really, there was no traffic and only a few people at the bars,” she said. “The most people I would say, were at the Community Centre and we just watched there for most of the night. The Safe Drive was going and we have a new taxi service here in town and people were making use of those services. It was really good. This is my fifth New Year’s working in Rimbey and this is probably the quietest one I’ve had, so it was a really good night.”
As for the situation provincially, things were nowhere near as quiet.
“There are too many irresponsible drivers who think they can drink alcohol and still drive safely, despite the fact that in 2007, 99 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes,” said Inspector James Stiles, Officer-in-Charge “K” Division Traffic Services. “We will continue to target and arrest those people who put innocent members of the community at risk by driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”
Impaired Driving Enforcement was selected as the focus area for the month of December in support of the Alberta Traffic Safety Plan. While RCMP members performed many duties associated with traffic safety, a special emphasis was placed on removing and charging impaired drivers.
RCMP members conducted roving patrols and CheckStops throughout the province resulting in 481 impaired related charges, down considerably from the year before when 675 impaired related charges were laid.
But while the number of charges laid were down, Styles said there is still plenty of work to be done.
“The statistics clearly show that our RCMP members are actively seeking out those who choose to drink and drive, to ensure theses drivers can be brought to justice and held accountable for their decisions,” he said. “While the enforcement results are encouraging, it is discouraging that many individuals still choose to drink and drive, risking their lives, the lives of loved ones and the lives of others”.
The following is a breakdown of the total number of drinking and driving charges laid and 24-hour license suspensions issued by the RCMP:
* Impaired Operation by Alcohol - Motor Vehicle - 286
* Impaired Operation by Drug - Motor Vehicle - 11
* Impaired Operation of Motor Vehicle over 80 mg percent - 126
* Failure/Refuse to Provide Breath Sample - 36
* Failure/Refusal Approved Screening Device - 17
* Fail/Refuse to Provide Blood Sample - 3