From Christmas Eve to New Year’s Eve, RCMP issued 998 tickets throughout Alberta by conducting enhanced traffic safety enforcement. Of the 998 tickets issued, 242 were for speeding, 31 for distracted driving and 21 for seatbelt infractions, said a media release from RCMP Tuesday. Drivers removed from roads for being impaired by drugs or alcohol amounted to 121, with 80 getting Immediate Roadside Sanction fails and 23 getting “cautions.” Fails are when a driver blows over 100. The consequences of a first offence are a 15-month driving suspension and a $1,000 fine. Cautions are given when a driver blows between 60 and 99 and results in a three-day driving suspension. There were six fatal crashes, resulting in seven deaths over the holiday period with 99 non-fatal injury crashes. “We are never happy to report fatal motor vehicle collisions,” said Sgt. Darrin Turnbull with Alberta RCMP Traffic in the release. “Everyone should have been able to make it home safely for the holidays. I encourage everyone to look out for each other on the roads.
