LA RONGE — Saskatchewan RCMP removed 47 drivers from the road during a recent traffic safety initiative in northern Saskatchewan, with more than half suspected of driving under the influence of drugs.
Twenty-five of those drivers had drugs in their system, according to police.
From March 4 to March 8, Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services conducted the third phase of a traffic safety initiative around the La Ronge RCMP detachment area.
Officers from Yorkton RCMP Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) and Saskatoon RCMP CTSS travelled to La Ronge to focus on impaired driving enforcement and remind motorists about safe driving practices.
On March 4 and 8, officers conducted patrols while travelling to and from the area. On March 5, they organized two check stops on Highway 102, south of Highway 915, and also patrolled the Stanley Mission community.
On March 6, officers patrolled the new all-weather road between La Ronge and Wollaston Lake, as well as the Wollaston Lake community. On March 7, they patrolled La Ronge and communities between La Ronge and Stanley Mission.
Over the five-day initiative, officers checked a total of 275 drivers for impairment.
As a result, police suspended:
- three driver’s licences for alcohol consumption prior to driving
- 25 driver’s licences for drug consumption prior to driving
- 16 driver’s licences for driving without a valid driver’s licence
Police also charged:
- two drivers with one count each of operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol
- one driver with one count of refusing to provide a breath sample
Officers issued 204 warnings and 181 tickets, about one-third of which were for speeding.
