(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Impaired driving down over the holidays

Just one impaired driving charge laid over holiday break

Jan 6, 2021 | 5:01 PM

With everybody staying inside, the streets were safer over the holiday break.

From Dec. 21 to New Year’s Day, there was just one impaired driving charge laid in Prince Albert. There was also a check stop done in the city on Dec. 19, no charges were laid and coupons to local restaurants were given to safe drivers.

“It’s certainly significant. It’s great that the public is following traffic laws, that they’re taking their responsibility seriously and that they’re keeping their own safety and the safety of their families, plus the safety of others on the road,” said Charlene Tebbutt, public relations and media coordinator for the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS). “They’re taking that to heart and being very responsible when they’re going out on the road. That’s certainly great to see, and of course, we’re encouraged by those numbers.”

Each year during the holidays, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) put out their Project Red Ribbon campaign, distributing red ribbons and decals to raise awareness against impaired driving. Local MADD chapter treasurer Karen Anthony-Burns said she hoped Project Red Ribbon, which concluded on Monday, helped deter drivers from getting behind the wheel while impaired.

“We at MADD are very pleased to hear that impaired driving charges were down and are hoping that this is something that can continue for the new year,” Anthony-Burns said. “Hopefully having those ribbon boxes out in the community and the increased awareness around that helps people think about supporting the goal to not drive impaired and to wear their ribbon.”

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Anthony-Burns also said that Prince Albert MADD started the Report Impaired Drivers (RID) program in September. In the RID program, MADD receives data from PAPS of where an impaired driving situation took place and put a temporary sign up in the area to encourage drivers to call 911 if they see a possible impaired driver.

“People are really on the side with MADD and our mission, we’re really pleased to see that. We have good community support. The idea that people are getting comfortable with, that they can phone 911 when they see something that’s actively impaired, and to know that they have the ability to do that—they’re a big help in taking those drivers off the road and preventing any crashes and injuries. And that’s what it’s about.”

As of the end of November, impaired driving and refusal to submit breathalyzer samples increased 11.21 per cent—per Prince Albert Police Service Crime Statistics.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW