Kevin Laliberte
Editor, Smoky River Express

As we enter the upcoming holiday season we’re all once again reminded about the inherent risks and dangers of mixing alcohol or other illegal substance with driving. It’s a vivid message which the McLennan RCMP, the Express, and area businesses are trying to firmly reinforce once again through this week’s centre spread. Much can be said about the commitment by media and these safety advocates in taking a proactive stance toward putting the brakes on the pain and suffering caused by impaired driving. Still, it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans if people – namely drivers – aren’t willing to heed the warning by acting responsibly and handing over the keys to a sober driver when tipping their favourite beverage back over the holidays. The month of December is traditionally known as one of the busiest times of the year for law enforcement agencies such as the RCMP, which strive to keep drunks off our streets and highways. Over the next several weeks their presence will be felt in our respective communities as they keep a watchful eye on Christmas parties and New Year’s eve celebrations – occasions which commonly include the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Joining McLennan Mounties is Valleyview RCMP Traffic Services, which is working in partnership with Valleyview, McLennan, High Prairie and Faust detachments, to blanket the area in an effort to keep impaired motorists off our streets and highways. Much the same as in past years, that process will consist of the strategic location of random checkstops throughout the region over the course of the next several weeks with RCMP relying on the element of surprise to weed out the few bad apples who have yet to heed the warning about the dangers of mixing alcohol with driving. Part of the crackdown by RCMP will also consist of roadside screening for various other offenses under the Highway Traffic Act, ranging in nature from proper credentials (driver’s license, registration and insurance) in addition to seatbelt and child safety restraint violations, etc. Also assisting in the process to help reinforce the message against impaired driving this week is local students with SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving) who are working together with Peace Country Health Emergency Medical Service, RCMP, and regional firefighters to promote the Candycane Checkstop program. So be prepared! The bottom line is that we all need to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Impaired motorists are a reckless menace to society and continue to place the lives of innocent Albertans in harm’s way. The pain and suffering needs to stop. So too do the pathetic excuses we commonly hear from drunk drivers each year, excuses such as “I know my limit,” “I only had a few drinks,” or “I know this road like the back of my hand.” We’ve all heard that line of BS before and witnessed the unnecessary emotional pain, loss and suffering for the innocent victims and family members all too often caught up in this web of irresponsibility. It’s a sobering visual reminder we all need to keep in mind. A special thanks goes out to all local businesses for supporting this worthy initiative.

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