The holiday season is on its way out, and for the most part it appears residents were responsible when it came to avoiding hitting the highway after a night of drinking.
Throughout the holiday, Drumheller RCMP conducted a number of check stops. According to Staff Sergeant Art Hopkins, two impaired driving charges were pursued; one on Christmas Eve and one on New Year’s Day.
In addition, the Drumheller RCMP issued four 24 hour suspensions for drivers who appeared to be impaired by alcohol. These came on December 17, two on New Year’s Day and one on January 2.
While these numbers appear low, Hopkins says they are on the rise. Last Christmas check stops resulted in no impaired charges being laid.
“We did see an increase in drinking and driving,” said Hopkins, “and that is sort of the standard across the country too.”
In addition to the 24 suspensions for possible drinking and driving, RCMP also issued a 24 hour suspension for a person believed to be impaired by drugs. The Drumheller detachment has two officers trained to determine impairment by drugs.
