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RCMP lay numerous charges at long weekend checkstops

Red Deer RCMP charged four impaired drivers, issued five suspensions and laid more than 70 charges in checkstops over the Labour Day weekend.

Red Deer RCMP charged four impaired drivers, issued five suspensions and laid more than 70 charges in checkstops over the Labour Day weekend.

“Impaired driving takes a toll on the entire community — it’s a crime and we treat it as such,” says Cpl. Matt LaBelle of Red Deer RCMP. “If you drive impaired, your luck is going to run out and we will catch you.”

RCMP seized 12 vehicles for anywhere from three to 30 days for impaired driving, driving under the influence while a graduated licensee, or being a suspended driver. Three drivers were fined at least $2,875 each for driving without insurance.

Four impaired drivers and had their vehicles seized for three days. Two graduated licence drivers had their vehicles seized for 30 days for blowing over .05.

They were among 360 drivers stopped at two locations on Friday and two locations on Saturday.

Other charges laid include: one 24-hour suspension for drugs; two 72-hour suspensions for blowing more than .05; one charge of drug possession; five suspended drivers charged and had vehicles seized for 30 days or more; 13 Criminal Code charges; 18 warrants executed; and 38 other tickets.

As well as setting up checkstops, Red Deer RCMP say they actively patrol for driving violations on every shift, using marked and unmarked police vehicles. Police are always vigilant for possible impaired drivers, and so are many concerned citizens who report impaired drivers to RCMP regularly.