CARSTAIRS - Drivers in town on Dec. 19 were in for a treat as local members of the police and other community groups were handing out thank-you notices and candy canes.
This is the second year for the Candy Cane Checkstop. Chris Mueller, Carstairs community peace officer, said this year was bigger and better than ever.
"It's about bringing thanks and just reminding the motoring public to just drive safe and sober throughout the holiday season as well as throughout the whole year," said Mueller. "Last year we had 16 people at one intersection and this year we doubled that. We've grown to two intersections and added a few more departments to the team."
The two locations this year for the checkstops were 10th Avenue and Centre Street and 10th Avenue and Gough Street. There were 32 people in total handing out candy canes including representatives from the police, fire department, town staff, council and correctional services.
"We also had Hugh Sutherland School's Double Trouble team," he said. "They're a group of students whose mandate is to educate other students about the dangers of driving impaired with drugs or alcohol. So they were there as well passing out notes thanking drivers for driving sober on top of the ribbons we're handing out."
Mueller said they had a lot of positive feedback from last year's event so are looking at making it an annual event.
"I'm glad to see it growing," he said. "People are excited to participate."
