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Reported impaired drivers on the rise in Buckland

Feb 7, 2018 | 4:00 PM

The Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Buckland said he is very concerned about the increased amount of impaired drivers in his area.

Don Fyrk was informed this week there were 21 reported incidents of impaired driving for the months covering October to December of 2017. From those reported calls, four people were charged, he said.

“We have a really good working relationship wiith [the RCMP] and they handle what they can handle but they can’t be everywhere at once,” he said.

Compared to the same time last year, there were 14 reported impaired drivers and two people charged. Prince Albert RCMP Sgt. Lyle Korzak said impaired driving enforcement is one of their key initiatives. He added part of the reason for the high number of reported offences could just be a more diligent public.

“People are more apt to report now with the RID (Reported Impaired Drivers) hotline and the fact that [the prevention of] impaired driving is becoming such a prominent thing,” Korzak said.

Robyn Keays, Vice-President of the Prince Albert MADD chapter, said she was disappointed to see the increase. 

“Even with all the awareness campaigns that have been done, these people just aren’t getting the message,” she said.

The MADD chapter just recently wrapped up its own Red Ribbon Campaign and plans to launch a new campaign this April called 9-1-1.  Keays said the campaign will encourage more people to call if they suspect someone is driving impaired.

 

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell