During the two-day check stop in Chamberlain, the RCMP suspended 35 drivers for operating a vehicle under the influence of cannabis.
Thousands of drivers making their way along Highway #11 last week were stopped by the Saskatchewan RCMP, as part of a two-day traffic safety blitz in the village of Chamberlain.
Dozens of RCMP and municipal police officers from across the province descended on the highway-side village for the traffic stop, and for the most part, they sent drivers on their way with a stamp of approval.
Out of more than 3,500 vehicles stopped and checked for unsafe driving behaviours, drug and alcohol impairment, outdated car seats and improper towing setups, only 130 people left with a ticket.
St. Germaine said the results of this safety check show that “most of Saskatchewan residents are getting the message that you can’t drink and drive,” since the RCMP only had to suspend four drivers for alcohol use, and issue a single ticket for having open liquor in a vehicle.
“Our work in detecting impaired driving continues 365 days a year,” said St. Germaine. “We will continue doing it until everyone understands that you can’t use any kind of intoxicant before getting behind the wheel.”
Under Saskatchewan law, it’s illegal for drivers and passengers to consume cannabis in a vehicle, and people caught driving high can be fined, have their license suspended and their vehicle seized, and be required to complete an impaired driving education program.
“As drivers … embark on road trips throughout the summer, I urge everyone to drive responsibly: avoid alcohol and cannabis, steer clear of distractions, and exercise extra caution in construction zones,” said Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Paul Merriman. “Together, we can ensure that everyone returns home safely this summer.”
In addition to the 35 cannabis-related suspensions during the safety check, the RCMP also suspended two people for cocaine use, arrested one person who was found to be on an outstanding warrant, and charged two people with possession of unmarked tobacco.
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