Holidays and check stops

Check Stops will increase over the holidays

The RCMP are starting the roving check stops program. You might see the RCMP anywhere at all on area roads, beginning on Saturday, November 27th.

If you are planning on drinking then there are a few simple risk management tools to apply. First off you should always have a designated driver. A little proper planning get prevent poor performance so think about how you will get home safely over the holiday season. This applies to any social event where alcohol is being served.

You may choose the spend the night or call a relative to get you home or take a cab home if you have been drinking. No one says you shouldn't have a great time at that party - just don't drink and drive.

Operation Red Nose (ORN) is a Canada-wide option to help you stay safe while enjoying holiday cheer. This program is staffed by volunteers who will pick you up and drive you in your own vehicle to the destination of your choice, for free. The program is usually restricted to larger centres.

Saskatchewan will provide the ORN program for the first time this year. Participating in the program this year is the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Saskatchewan.

In Alberta ORN starts the weekend of November 27 to December 31. Your can get a ride home on those weekends in your own vehicle. The program services Fort Saskatchewan, Edmonton or Lethbridge.

British Columbia will provide the same service for the cities of Delta, Abbotsford, Prince George, Mission, Chilliwack, Richmond, Kamloops, Langley, Nanaimo, North Shore, Surrey, Ridge-Meadows, Tri-Cities, and Williams Lake.

Manitoba's program will include Brandon, Flin Flon, Gimli, Portage, Selkirk, The Pas, Thompson and Winnipeg.

New Brunswick offers the Operation Red Nose program for the Acadian Peninsula, Edmunston, Fredericton, Moncton, Oromocto-Burton and Saint John.

Nova Scotia will offer the program to the cities of Truro, Sydney, and Halifax.

Ontario lists Chatham-Kent, Hearst, Kingston, Newmarket-Aurora, North Bay, Quinte, Sudbury, and Toronto as part of their Operation Red Nose program.

The police will also be checking for insurance, registrations and seat belt compliance when they stop your vehicle. This is a good time for you to do a visual inspection of your vehicle to be sure that the tail lights are working, tires are in inflated properly and you are ready for winter driving.

Be aware that if you drink and drive you will not only lose your license but your pockets will be empty after you finish paying for insurance. A driver with a driving under the influence (DUI) charge in Alberta will pay from $3600 per year on up for just basic public liability and property damage. On top of that you will have a rather hefty fine. Your rates will be affected for a minimum of three years.

If you would like to get involved in the Operation Red Nose Program or want further information then please click here.

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