Red Deer City RCMP arrested and charged four people with impaired driving on Friday during a CheckStop operation.
Police checked 155 vehicles at two CheckStop locations during National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day.
Besides testing for alcohol impairment, RCMP also use drug recognition experts trained to identify and charge drivers impaired by street or prescription drugs, or a combination of intoxicating substances.
Two 24-hour suspensions related to drugs were issued.
During the operation, the people who were charged with impaired driving had their vehicles seized for three days.
As well, there were two charges of possession of a controlled substance, nine warrants were executed and 19 traffic violation tickets were issued.
One person was charged with driving with no insurance. The minimum fine for this is $2,875.
The RCMP said that while they conduct random CheckStops throughout the year, during the holiday season their efforts become even more focused.
As well, they said they are aided by numerous concerned citizens calling in to report suspected impaired drivers.
“Impaired driving, and the tragedies that accompany it, are completely preventable — it’s a crime and we treat it as such,” says Cpl. Matt LaBelle.
“If you drive impaired, your luck is going to run out and we will catch you.”
People can report impaired drivers by calling 911 with a licence plate, vehicle description and direction of travel.