RCMP Urge Caution on Roads, Share Results from Operation Impact

The Saskatchewan RCMP is appealing to drivers to be safe with much more traffic around streets on Halloween.

“Whether it’s going to Halloween activities or trick-or-treating, many vehicles and pedestrians will be on the streets this weekend,” said Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services Supt. Grant. St. Germaine. “Please buckle your seatbelt, keep your eyes on the road, watch your speed and don’t drive while impaired. Our officers will be out on the streets, ensuring everyone has a safe time this Halloween.”

St. Germaine said officers had enough scary stories already this month:

- On October 10, a 911 complaint advised of a vehicle travelling at very high speeds on Highway #11 near Prince Albert. Prince Albert Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) officers observed the vehicle traveling 180 km/h in a 110 km/h zone. When officers pulled the vehicle over, the driver said they were driving that speed because a vehicle occupant had to use the bathroom. The driver was charged with Exceed Lawful Posted Speed Limit by More Than 50 Km/h and received a $1022 fine and a seven-day vehicle impound.

- Also on October 10, Yorkton CTSS observed a pickup truck towing an unregistered trailer with a trampoline on it on Boundary Road in Canora. The trampoline was improperly secured to the trailer and an unrestrained female youth was riding on the trailer attempting to prevent contact between the trampoline and the road surface. Officers stopped the vehicle and the driver was charged with Drive Vehicle with Unrestrained Passenger Under 16 and received warnings for having unsecure cargo and an unregistered trailer.

Those incidents were investigated during Operation Impact, which took place October 8 to 11. Operation Impact, led by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, seeks to increase public compliance with safe driving measures in order to save lives and reduce injuries on our roads. During the four-day province-wide enforcement campaign, officers from the Saskatchewan RCMP and municipal police CTSS partners found 48 impaired drivers, 34 of whom were charged under the Criminal Code. The remaining 14 received roadside suspensions. 

Other enforcement results include:

- 1231 warnings

- 948 speeding tickets

- 56 intersection tickets

- 49 distracted driving tickets

- 40 seatbelt tickets

- 9 unsafe passing tickets

- 136 vehicle defect inspection notices

There were also 465 other charges laid including non-impaired Criminal Code offences, invalid driver’s licenses and invalid vehicle registrations.

“Promoting safety on Saskatchewan roads and highways is paramount for the Saskatchewan RCMP and CTSS,” says Supt. St. Germaine. “Whether during an initiative like Operation Impact, a special weekend like this one coming up, or just an ordinary day in Saskatchewan, officers are out on the roads targeting known risks like impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding and seatbelt misuse.”