The Estevan RCMP invests a lot of time and effort to ensure that the roads in the area are safe. In December, traditionally more attention is paid to impaired driving.
"Into December we do have lots of targeted programs we do and projects. High-visibility check stops being probably the biggest ones that the public sees when we are out there. So we'll be doing some of those again this year all through December and into the new year," said Cpl. Craig Park with the Estevan RCMP.
December is SGI Spotlight on Impaired Driving month, and most law enforcement agencies focus on safety on the road during the holiday season.
The Estevan RCMP also does a lot of what they call "roving stops."
"Lots of travelling, random stops to make sure people are abiding by the rules," Park explained.
He added that the neighbouring Carlyle RCMP detachment also dedicates a lot of time to battling impaired driving, and two members, Constable Alexa Dubeau and Constable Dani Zara, were recently recognized by Mothers Against Drinking and Driving (MADD) for their efforts.
Park said that the numbers for impaired driving in the Estevan area so far is on par for about a normal year, however, if one were to look closer, there are some changes in the statistics.
"The numbers seem to be in line with past years. I don't see a whole lot more or less. But what we do see a big change in is, we've got probably just about a half of our impaireds related to drugs now," Park said.
He attributes this new tendency to a further education some of their officers have received in the field testing, which allows them to recognize the signs of drug impairment.
"The biggest change that we've seen this year is to do with drug impairments," Park said.
So while the numbers, in general, remain on par with previous years, the number of impaired by alcohol cases was a little lower than the Estevan RCMP has seen in the past.
"There are some positive signs there, but of course now there is work to be done in drug impairments," Park said.
Park added that in the past few years since the new measure was introduced, they've seen a lot of three-day suspensions, which occur when drives are not at the chargeable impaired level, but blow a warning, which also comes with significant penalties from SGI.
"That seems to be educating those people that are right on that edge, where a couple more drinks could put them in impaired, but they choose not to. They get one of those, and then people realize that it's not worth it, just the financial cost associated to it, it's not worth it," explained Park, pointing out that this is one of the measures that seem to be working keeping many people from making poor decisions.
"I think a lot of those strict restrictions have certainly helped, as well as the graduated drivers licence (system) teaching the young people, and that (education) is carrying through into their adult lives, which certainly made changes as well."
The Estevan RCMP also participates in various educational activities. They are partnered with MADD and participate in some of their educational programs. They also partake in the local impaired drivers' program, where they go in and educate drivers with recent convictions.
And while battling impaired driving is a year-round campaign for local law enforcement agencies, in December they once again remind people to make good choices.
"The biggest message heading into the holiday season is we've had lots of challenges this year, and lots of issues with COVID and other things, with all the restrictions in place, we just wish everybody a safe and happy season. And remember, if you are going to drink, plan ahead and have a ride available," Park concluded.
