During the holiday season, Red Deer RCMP charged 29 impaired drivers and investigated approximately 44 more reports of suspected impaired drivers.

Between Dec. 3rd and Jan. 4th, RCMP located and arrested 29 impaired drivers during roving patrols and checkstops.

One man was arrested for impaired driving after RCMP located him attempting to flee after a collision. Four of the arrests were made thanks to reports from the public about suspected impaired drivers; one driver faces charges for impaired driving under the influence of drugs. Eight of those charged with impaired driving were female and 21 were male.

Red Deer RCMP responded to a further 44 reports of suspected impaired drivers during this holiday time period by making patrols to try to locate those vehicles. In 10 cases, police were able to locate the vehicle and either determine that the suspect was not impaired, or issue a warning to the registered owner after locating the vehicle parked and unoccupied.

“We continue to see an increase in the number of citizens calling to report impaired drivers, and RCMP thank the community for the active role they take in helping to keeping our City streets safe,” said Sgt. Al Nickolson of the Red Deer RCMP. “Red Deerians are making a clear statement that they will no longer tolerate this dangerous behaviour in our community.”

RCMP operate checkstops and roving patrols year-round in search of impaired drivers, in accordance with Red Deer’s Annual Policing Plan commitment to safer roads.

– Fawcett