Checkstop programs remain important for public safety

Calgary police note that Checkstops will look different this year because of COVID-19, but what hasn’t changed is that it’s never okay to drive while impaired.

“We will continue to conduct Checkstops throughout the holiday season, as we do each year,” said Const. Dan Kurz noting that officers will be wearing PPE to maintain the safety of the public and our members.

“We have a duty to maintain public safety on our roads, even during a pandemic,” continued Const. Kurz. “The Checkstop program is an important visual reminder that impaired driving is not okay under any circumstances.”

Impaired driving is when your ability to operate a motor vehicle is impaired by a substance, such as alcohol or drugs. The only safe level is "0." Alcohol and drugs, including cannabis, affect everyone differently and there are many factors that can increase the effects of substances on an individual.

Impaired driving continues to be a major contributing factor of traffic collisions in Alberta. Over a ten-year period from 2008 to 2017, 574 people died in a collision involving a legally-impaired driver and nearly 8,000 were injured. This year, there have been five fatal collisions in Calgary involving alcohol or drugs.

All impaired driving occurrences that occur on or after Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, will be under the purview of the new SafeRoads Alberta branch within Alberta Transportation. More information on Bill 21 and its serious, immediate and escalating consequences for impaired drivers is available here: https://www.alberta.ca/making-alberta-roads-safer.aspx