Calgary drivers should prepare for a significant increase in police presence on city roads this December. The Calgary Police Service (CPS) is launching an enhanced enforcement campaign targeting impaired drivers, with random check stops scheduled throughout the month.
Enforcement Schedule and Collaborative Effort
From December 1st to the 31st, traffic safety officers will be conducting random check stops on every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in various locations across Calgary. The initiative aims to both address and educate the public on the severe dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
To maximize their reach and impact, the regular traffic officers will receive additional support. On Saturdays, the enforcement efforts will be bolstered by personnel from the Alberta Sheriffs, the RCMP, and CPS district offices, creating a multi-agency front against impaired driving.
A Response to a Deadly Year on Calgary Roads
This heightened enforcement comes as a direct response to alarming traffic safety data. Staff Sgt. Andy Woodward revealed that 2025 has been the worst year for road safety in Calgary in a decade, with over 30 fatalities recorded so far. Tragically, 11 of those killed were pedestrians.
"While the numbers for impaired impairment may not seem high," Woodward stated, "five of them were due to impaired driving." He emphasized the human cost behind each statistic, noting that every fatality represents a loved one who did not return home and the lasting trauma inflicted on families and first responders.
To date this year, Calgary police have laid 109 impaired driving charges and issued 2,170 immediate roadside sanctions. These figures are slightly down from the 112 charges and 2,200 sanctions issued during the same period last year, but police stress that any preventable death is unacceptable.
Police Plea for Public Responsibility and Safety Planning
At a press conference, Staff Sgt. Woodward delivered a clear message to the public. "We want to remind people in our communities that if you’re planning to drink or use cannabis, arrange to get home safely," he urged. Police are advocating for several safe alternatives:
- Designate a sober driver.
- Use a ride-share service or taxi.
- Take public transportation.
- Find a safe location to spend the night.
"By taking these simple steps and encouraging our friends and family to do the same, we can keep our roads safe," Woodward added. "We all have a part to play... reminding them that choosing to drive sober or helping someone else make that choice can mean the difference between someone coming home safely or not at all."
The focus on traffic safety follows recent discussions at the Calgary Police Commission meeting on November 26th. Inspector Rob Patterson, commander of the CPS traffic section, informed commissioners that traffic response teams are currently operating at only 60 per cent capacity, with 29 officers deployed instead of a full complement of 40.
"We could use more people right now," Patterson acknowledged when questioned about resources. Having a full team, he noted, would allow for more effective enforcement across the city.
As the holiday season approaches, Calgary police are sending an unequivocal message: planning for a safe ride home is not just a suggestion—it is a critical responsibility for every driver and passenger.
