Police lay 12 drunk driving charges in first days of checkstop program
CBC News | Posted: December 15, 2015 4:51 PM | Last Updated: December 15, 2015
Holiday checkstop charges comparable to years past, Winnipeg police say
Winnipeg police have stopped a few more vehicles and laid more charges in the first 1½ weeks of this year's festive season checkstop program than they did last year.
Winnipeg police checkstop early results (Dec. 1-10):
- 882 vehicles stopped.
- 51 roadside breath tests administered.
- 9 72-hour driver's licence suspensions issued.
- 12 impaired driving charges.
- 50 traffic-related provincial offence notices issued.
- 1 drug-related arrest (for possession).
Compared to the same period in 2014, police stopped a "few more" vehicles this year, said Const. Jason Michalyshen, a Winnipeg police public information officer. Last year 500 to 600 vehicles were stopped; this year the number is more than 800, he said.
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The numbers overall, however, are comparable to last year, he said, meaning drivers still haven't received the message driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances is dangerous.
The Winnipeg police crackdown on dangerous driving during the holidays is a combination of checkstops and police officers assigned specifically to watch for impaired driving, said Michalyshen.
"We're looking for vehicles that might be driving inappropriately, whether they're not holding their lane, there could be outright swerving, failing to signal, lights might not be on, there could be a number of factors," he said.
The message is clear and simple, he said.
"Whether we sound like a broken record or not … don't get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you have been consuming alcohol."
Police advise partygoers to consider taking a cab or calling Operation Red Nose to get home safely.