Calgary police have publicly commended the city's drivers for demonstrating responsible behaviour during a series of holiday season check stops this past weekend. The enforcement initiative, which saw officers stop more than 1,500 vehicles, resulted in a remarkably low number of sanctions.
Minimal Sanctions During Widespread Enforcement
Between Friday and Sunday, officers from the Calgary Police Service (CPS) and Alberta Sheriffs conducted checks at five key locations across the city. These included spots on Barlow Trail, Country Hills Boulevard, near the zoo CTrain station on Memorial Drive, and in the Ogden area. The coordinated effort is part of an enhanced campaign announced on December 4 to increase random check stops throughout December, typically running from Wednesday to Saturday.
According to a social media post from CPS, a total of 1,532 vehicles were stopped. From this significant number of interactions, police issued only a single sanction. The sanction was given to a Graduated Driver's Licence (GDL) holder, who by law is prohibited from having any alcohol or drugs in their system while operating a vehicle.
A Positive Trend in Driver Compliance
This weekend's results continue a positive trend observed since the campaign's launch. During the first round of enhanced check stops earlier in the month, police stopped approximately 1,000 cars and recorded only two roadside sanction failures. The stark contrast between the volume of traffic stopped and the minimal number of infractions has been noted as highly encouraging by law enforcement.
In their communication, police directly praised Calgarians for the notable lack of impaired drivers on the roads. The message included a request for the public to "keep up the good work" as the festive season continues. This proactive enforcement and public communication strategy aims to maintain safe roads during a period often associated with increased social gatherings.
Ongoing Commitment to Road Safety
The holiday check stop program underscores a continued commitment by Calgary police and Alberta Sheriffs to deter impaired driving through visibility and enforcement. By conducting these checks at various times and locations, authorities hope to remind all drivers of their responsibility to stay sober behind the wheel.
The successful weekend, marked by widespread compliance, serves as a community achievement in prioritizing road safety. Police have indicated that the enhanced check stop campaign will remain active throughout the month, encouraging all drivers to plan for a safe ride home if their holiday celebrations include alcohol.
