Sundre RCMP officers will be increasing their efforts to crack down on impaired driving during the month of December.
There are various charges that a person caught driving under the influence can be faced with.
“Residents of Sundre and the surrounding area can expect to see an increased police presence with a focus on removing impaired drivers from the roadways,” said Cpl. Ryan Hodge.
“Impaired driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a criminal offence and carries severe punishments, including the suspension of your driver's licence, fines and possibly jail.
“People who choose to drive impaired not only face the possibility of killing themselves, friends, family or others, but also serious legal, financial and social consequences.”
People who are found to be not over the legal limit of 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millimetres of blood (.08) could still be faced with punishments, he said.
If a person is driving with a blood alcohol concentration that is between .05 and .08 they could have their licence suspended and their vehicle seized for three days, on the first offence, according to the Immediate Roadside Sanctions Program.
People who hold their Graduated Driver's Licence are not to consume any alcohol before driving. If they are caught driving while impaired, they could have their licence suspended for 30 days and their vehicle impounded for seven days.
If a person refuses to provide a breath sample, they can be charged with refusing to provide a breath sample. This offence can involve the same penalties as impaired driving, he said.
“The members of the Sundre detachment want to ask that people choose not to drive after they have been drinking, taking illicit drugs or are fatigued,” he said.
“Plan ahead for a safe ride home. Have a designated driver, call a friend for a ride, use a taxi or shuttle service, or simply make the conscious decision to be a sober driver.”
He encourages people to call 911 if they suspect an impaired driver and note the description of the vehicle and the licence plate.
