Another weekend CheckStop in Red Deer resulted in a few suspensions but no impaired driving charges.
Red Deer City RCMP and Alberta sheriffs conducted several CheckStops throughout the city on Saturday, stopping more than 600 vehicles.
Though no drivers who were impaired by alcohol were found, other infractions were discovered during the checks.
In total, five 24-hour suspensions due to drugs, two operating a motor vehicle without insurance and two graduated licences were suspended because of the zero tolerance to alcohol for drivers with that type of licence. As well, nine vehicles were towed.
In a press release, police said they would like to commend drivers for finding safe rides home when they have been drinking.
Red Deer RCMP will continue random checkstops throughout the holiday season.
Because they will be out over the next few weeks, with an increase on New Year’s Eve, police would like to remind drivers of the severe provincial penalties for driving after consuming alcohol.
If a driver has a graduated driver’s licence, any amount of alcohol leads to the immediate loss of that licence for a month and a vehicle being seized for at least seven days.
In Alberta, the circumstances where a 24-hour suspensions for driving while having between 50 and 80 mg of alcohol in their body are limited. Now drivers will immediately lose their licence for a minimum of 72 hours and their vehicle will be seized for at least three days.
In some cases such as driver fatigue, drug impairment, medical or physical impairments and special circumstances for alcohol, a 24-hour suspension will be issued.
Anyone charged with impaired driving or driving while their blood-alcohol content level is above 80 mg will lose their licence until court proceedings have concluded and their vehicle will be seized for at least three days.