CHAMBERLAIN – A traffic blitz near Chamberlain noted around 4,500 vehicles being checked by police on a busy stretch of Highway 11 recently.
Between July 11 and 13, Saskatchewan RCMP plus partners Saskatchewan Highway Patrol conducted a traffic stop, yielding a variety of results.
"The focus for police officers was removing impaired drivers, unsafe vehicles and vehicles towing recreational items (campers, trailers and boats) improperly from Saskatchewan roads," said RCMP in a media release.
A total of 42 vehicles were impounded for impaired driving, and RCMP are seeing an increase in the number of license suspensions - especially regarding cannabis use.
“Saskatchewan RCMP officers have advanced training in using specialized tools to detect drug impairment, which has ultimately resulted in a rise in cannabis-related license suspensions since 2019,” said Superintendent Grant St. Germaine, officer in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP’s Traffic Services. “Perhaps surprisingly, the individuals facing license suspensions as a result of our proactive traffic initiative this week were everyday commuters – some even going to work or travelling with young children. Our RCMP officers on duty in Chamberlain, in conjunction with Saskatchewan Highway Patrol, helped make our roads safer this week – and for that I am grateful.”
During the blitz, officers issued 40 driver's license suspensions for cannabis impairment, one license suspension for impairment by cocaine, and one license suspension for alcohol impairment.
Officers handed out seven tickets for drivers using a cell phone, 17 seatbelt tickets, nine tickets for driving an unregistered vehicle, four tickets for possessing or consuming cannabis in a vehicle, and 189 tickets for other various offences including speeding and vehicle equipment violations.
Officers picked up two drivers in relation to outstanding warrants, three drivers were found driving without a valid license, and three people were charged under the Tobacco Act with one individual had over 10,000 cigarettes in their vehicle.
In addition to the slew of tickets, 898 warning were also issued.
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