Thanksgiving weekend served up more than turkey: 58 drivers facing charges, suspensions in Fort McMurray

Fifty-eight drivers in Fort McMurray, Alta. were issued charges and penalties over the Thanksgiving long weekend.

The Wood Buffalo RCMP, in a release shared yesterday afternoon, said a total of 10 check-stops led to over 115 mandatory alcohol screening demands between Friday Oct. 9 and Monday Oct. 12.

The sweep was part of a larger nationwide road safety campaign that is held annually to reduce road incidents, injuries and fatalities caused by “impaired, aggressive, or fatigued driving.” The campaign, which is known as Operation Impact, also targets drivers that violate seatbelt and car seat laws.

The Wood Buffalo RCMP confirmed 47 drivers were charged with various offences under the Traffic Safety Act, three with Impaired driving, one for failing to use a car seat, another for driving without a drivers licence, and one was issued an IRS Caution with a three-day driving suspension.

Five drivers were also issued Immediate Roadside Sanction (IRS) fails under the Traffic Safety Act – an offence that carries a minimum fine of $1,200, a 90-day licence suspension, and a 30-day vehicle seizure.

Repeat offenders face even harsher fines.

Police said in any instance where impaired driving was detected, the vehicle and drivers were immediately removed from the roads.

Of the 58 drivers, one was a 38-year-old Edmonton man involved in an impaired driving accident, whose breath samples showed alcohol levels to be nearly twice the legal limit.

On Sunday at 10:35 p.m., officers responded to a 911 crash notification that reported a single vehicle collision on Highway 63 – 10 kilometres north of Fort McMurray.

The driver, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, was believed to be under the influence of alcohol and was found in his Grey Audi SQ5, which had rolled into a ditch.

The driver is facing impaired driving charges and is set to appear in court on Nov. 25.

In light of the long weekend’s high number of incidents, the Wood Buffalo RCMP is reminding residents to plan transportation ahead if drinking, establish designated drivers amongst friends and family, arrange for ridesharing or taxis or even spend the night at a friend’s or family member’s.

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