From October 19th to 21st, an RCMP traffic safety initiative was held, focusing on impaired driving on rural highways in northern Saskatchewan. In that time period, the RCMP’s Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan, Look Lake RCMP and the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol stopped over 250 vehicles from Onion Lake to Pierceland.

There were 23 licence suspensions for testing positive for THC, five licence suspensions for failing an alcohol roadside screening test and five drivers charged for having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or over. There was also a license suspension for failing a field sobriety test where the driver was under the influence of a stimulant suspected to be meth.

Corporal Blair De Bruin of CTSS says the main focus of these checkstops is traffic safety, but officers also come across individuals with outstanding warrants. He says, “During one traffic stop, officers determined the driver, who initially provided a false identification, had outstanding warrants for arrest. They also located and seized a firearm and knife from the vehicle. During a second stop, it was determined the driver didn’t have a license and was in possession of a prohibited device, an extended ammunition round magazine.”