Saskatchewan RCMP officers issued over 400 tickets and pulled 35 drivers off the road during long weekend check stops in the Regina Beach and Moosomin areas. According to an update on Thursday, from July 31 to Aug. 2, RCMP issued 395 traffic tickets during a proactive traffic stop in the Moosomin area, with 245 tickets given to drivers for speeding, 26 for going over 60 kilometres per hour (km/h) while passing an emergency vehicle, and 17 for incorrectly using a seatbelt or booster seat. Of the 245 tickets handed to speeders, 24 were given for going at least 35 km/h over the posted speed limit. Officers completed 984 mandatory alcohol screening tests over the long weekend. Ten roadside suspensions, eight inspection notices, and 111 warnings were issued. Two Criminal Code charges were also laid – one for refusing a roadside test, and one for impaired driving. Officers, including those from the RCMP motorcycle unit, ended up removing 12 drivers who had consumed alcohol or drugs from the road. “Motorcycles are an extremely effective enforcement tool as they allow officers to position themselves closer to traffic and observe driver behaviour from a unique vantage point,” S/Sgt. Jeremy Knodel with Sask. RCMP Traffic Services noted in the update. Moosomin RCMP, as well as Estevan, Weyburn, and Broadview Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS), Estevan Police Services, and RCMP’s motorcycle unit all took part in the initiative. About 950 mandatory alcohol screening tests and 25 drug screening tests were conducted on drivers in the Regina Beach area during three traffic safety check stops from July 31 to Aug. 2. A total of 23 drivers were taken off the road. Two drivers were impaired and charged under the Criminal Code. Ten drivers had consumed alcohol and 11 drivers had consumed drugs before driving, making up about two per cent of drivers tested, RCMP said. Twenty traffic tickets, two Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act tickets, and 36 written warnings were also handed out. Lumsden RCMP, neighbouring RCMP detachments, CTSS officers, as well as the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol took part in this initiative. “While we are pleased to report there were no collisions in the area during the long weekend, these results show people are still making unsafe choices,” S/Sgt. Jason Sauve from Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services said in the update. “Saskatchewan RCMP will continue working to remind people that driving after drinking or consuming drugs is a danger to yourself, your passengers and others on the road.”
