RCMP remove 21 drivers from the road in northern Saskatchewan

NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN — Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services patrolled 2,400 km and removed 21 drivers from the road during their latest traffic safety initiative.

Eighteen of these drivers had drugs in their system.

From March 11 to March 15, Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services conducted the fourth phase of their winter northern traffic safety initiative in areas around the La Ronge RCMP Detachment area.

Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services officers in Martensville and Saskatoon RCMP Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) gathered in La Ronge to remove drivers under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol from the road, and to remind motorists of safe driving practices.

On March 11 and 15, police officers conducted patrols on the way to and from La Ronge. On March 12, they patrolled Highways 102, 905 and 964 from La Ronge to Stony Rapids as well as the La Ronge and Stony Rapids communities. On March 13, they patrolled the ice road between Stony Rapids and Uranium City as well as the Stony Rapids, Fond du Lac and Uranium City communities. On March 14, they patrolled Highways 964, 102, and 905 from Stony Rapids to La Ronge, as well as the Black Lake and Southend communities. In Southend, they also organized roving check stops within the community.

Over the five days, police officers patrolled 2,400 kilometers of Northern Saskatchewan roads and highways and stopped 90 drivers for impairment checks.

As a result of these checks and patrols, police officers suspended:

• two driver’s licences for alcohol consumption prior to driving, and
• 18 driver’s licences for drug consumption prior to driving.

Police officers charged:

• one driver with one count of operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol.

Police officers issued:

• 93 warnings, and
• 117 tickets (43 of which were for speeding).

Police officers with Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services and CTSS units will continue to organize check stops and to patrol roads and highways to remove impaired drivers from Saskatchewan roads.