Battlefords RCMP will be conducting a variety of impaired driving enforcement initiatives during the week of May 12-20. This is in line with the National Impaired Driving Week Campaign which all police forces across the country are taking part in, says a release from the Battlefords RCMP.
The educational component of impaired driving takes part within the communities high schools as the RCMP School Liaison Officer Cst. Sam Gerstmar provides education and awareness surrounding this public safety issue. The RCMP say they are also fortunate to have a strong partnership with local health and addictions professionals as they plan and deliver PARTY Program (Preventing Alcohol Related Trauma in Youth). This education and awareness campaign (PARTY) is scheduled with sessions in May, June and in the fall.
The work through education and enforcement remains a high priority for Battlefords Detachment and will remain so as Saskatchewan has the highest rates of impaired driving in the country, states the release.
The social attitudes towards drinking and driving need to change and the work RCMP are doing collectively and consistently moving forward is anticipated to create that change, says the release. With new impaired driving laws RCMP will not only be looking for drivers impaired by alcohol but also by drug.
Battlefords RCMP remains committed in continuing to work jointly with MADD, SADD, local government, school boards, provincial and community organizations in raising awareness and highlighting the risks of impaired driving, says the release.
