Motorists in the Smoky River region who willingly choose to mix the consumption of alcohol with driving will once again be the primary targets of McLennan RCMP over the course of the upcoming holiday season. It’s all part of the RCMP’s holiday checkstop campaign, an annual enforcement crackdown aimed specifically at keeping impaired drivers off our local streets and highways. “This is just a friendly reminder to residents to keep in mind that we (RCMP) are stepping up enforcement measures over the course of the next several weeks,” says Sgt. Ged Dentinger of the McLennan detachment. He adds that the campaign – a beefed up version of the RCMP’s regular checkstop program – will translate into a significant increase in the overall presence of RCMP officers within the Smoky River from late November right on through to the new year. The enforcement campaign is part of a joint effort between McLennan RCMP and Valleyview RCMP’s Traffic Services branch and will result in a number of checkstops being set up at random locations throughout the region. Just where and when these checkstops are taking place is information which the RCMP detachment remains tight-lipped about. Sgt. Dentinger says the checkstop enforcement campaign is based solely on the element of surprise to catch unsuspecting impaired drivers, regardless of the time of day, adding that they are targeting community Christmas functions as well as local taverns and bars. It’s all part of a coordinated effort by RCMP to send a strong message to the general public that drinking and driving won’t be tolerated. The key for residents who plan on drinking, he says, is to plan ahead. “We’re not trying to discourage people from having a good time over the holiday season. All we ask is that they act responsibly and have a designated driver in place to get them home safely when consuming alcoholic beverages at social functions or family gatherings,” Sgt. Dentinger explains. Sgt. Dentinger says the enforcement campaign will involve closely monitoring motorists for alcohol consumption using roadside screening devices in addition to checking for proper credentials such as valid driver’s licenses, registration and insurance. “We’ll also be looking at various other infractions under the Traffic Safety Act, including mandatory seatbelt compliance.” Years of drinking and driving awareness coupled with increased efforts towards education have sharpened the public’s attention about the dangers of mixing alcohol with operating a motor vehicle. And while fewer people are being killed in traffic collisions involving drunk drivers than 20 years ago, the issue hasn’t been eliminated. “There’s still a significant problem out there and the statistics reflect that,” acknowledges Sgt. Dentinger. “We are not seeing a dramatic reduction in the overall number of impaired drivers out there.” Of the 408 persons who died in traffic crashes in 2004, 156 (or roughly 40 per cent) involved alcohol consumption by one or more drivers. Also worth pointing out is the fact that most of the victims that year (80 per cent) were males with the greatest percentage (26 per cent) between the ages of 20 to 25. Motorists convicted of operating a motor vehicle over the legal blood alcohol limit of .08 automatically lose their driver’s license for a one-year period (first offense) and are subject to hefty fines, prison time, or both depending on the severity of the individual case. Those penalties increase greatly for all repeat offenders. Sgt. Dentinger says drivers should also consider the serious consequences of impaired driving, including increased insurance premiums, loss of employment, tarnished reputation and, most importantly, the potential for injury and the loss of innocent lives. “The message is simple. If you drink don’t drive.”