Saskatchewan RCMP stopped more than 5,000 vehicles during Canada Road Safety Week

SASKATCHEWAN – During Canada Road Safety Week, Saskatchewan RCMP detachments and Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) units stopped 5,271 vehicles and charged, suspended or warned 2,013 drivers across the province.

Every year, Saskatchewan RCMP detachments across the province join Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services to conduct traffic safety patrols and check stops during Canada Road Safety Week, according to the release. Police officers focus on removing dangerous drivers from the roads and reminding motorists to drive safely.

The results of this year’s province-wide operation have been compiled and are now available.

Between May 12 and May 18, Saskatchewan RCMP and Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) officers stopped a total of 5,271 vehicles.

As a result of these stops, police officers:

• charged 45 drivers with driving a vehicle while being impaired by alcohol;
• charged five drivers with driving a vehicle while being impaired by drugs;
• suspended 58 drivers’ licences for consuming alcohol prior to driving;
• suspended 39 drivers’ licences for consuming drugs prior to driving;
• issued tickets or warnings to 1,594 drivers for aggressive driving (speeding, unsafe passing, stunting, following too closely);
• issued tickets or warnings to 167 drivers for distracted driving (driving while holding, viewing, using or manipulating a cellphone; driving without due care; diving without reasonable consideration for others); and
• issued tickets or warnings to 105 drivers or passengers for failing to use a seatbelt or failing to use it properly.

A total of 2,013 drivers and passengers were charged, suspended, ticketed or warned by Saskatchewan RCMP and CTSS officers across the province during Canada Road Safety Week.

“Our police officers found safety concerns in about two out of every five vehicles they stopped,” said Inspector Lee Knelsen, Operations Officer of Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services. “This is too high. That’s why initiatives like Canada Road Safety Week are as important as ever. We will continue to remove dangerous drivers from Saskatchewan roads and to correct unsafe driving behaviours. While we charged, suspended, ticketed or warned 2,013 drivers, we also saw a lot of drivers who were demonstrating safe driving behaviours – thank you for helping to keep our roads safe.”

Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services and Saskatchewan RCMP Detachments also thank their partners – CTSS police service partners, Saskatchewan Highway Patrol officers, and Conservation Officers with the Provincial Protective Services Branch – for their assistance during the campaign.