Police officers will be out patrolling the Battlefords to ensure residents aren't driving impaired. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Stopping impaired drivers

RCMP will be out on New Year’s Eve patrol

Dec 31, 2020 | 5:00 PM

In keeping with tradition on New Year’s Eve, law enforcement will be keeping an eye on impaired drivers.

In a release Thursday, SGI reminded everyone looking to ring in the New Year to drive safely. This included finding a ride from a sober driver, taking a taxi or scheduling an overnight stay.

In order to keep impaired drivers off the road, police will be out and about in their communities to enforce safe driving, including some check stops. Battlefords RCMP Sgt. Jason Teniuk said they will have dedicated patrols all evening.

“We’ll be doing spot checks of vehicles,” he said. “I don’t know if we will have any roadblocks planned, but as it goes, we’ll have everyone out on patrol, doing what they need to do to keep people safe.”

This means officers may also look to enforce social gathering restrictions over the course of the evening. However, Teniuk said that won’t be their primary mandate and will be carried out on a case-by-case basis.

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“I don’t know that anything will be targeted, but I know that if patrols notice anything, they will certainly be looking into it,” he said.

The province’s mandate around social gatherings remains in effect until at least January 15. Teniuk said he doesn’t want to see anyone end the year on a negative note, be it from impaired driving or not adhering to restrictions.

“Especially with the fireworks tonight, we just ask that people avoid gatherings and those kinds of things,” he said.

“We want everyone to get to where they are going safely. If you’ve had a few too many beverages, find an alternative ride home.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports