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By Chris Brown

Safety on the roads and highways

RCMP promoting safe, sober driving this summer

Jun 29, 2021 | 10:06 AM

Albertans will have reason to celebrate on Thursday with the province moving to Stage 3 of reopening and the unofficial start of summer falling on Canada Day.

RCMP are reminding motorists to always practice safe, sober driving.

“Driving impaired is dangerous and never worth the risk,” says Supt. Gary Graham of Alberta RCMP Traffic Services in a statement. “Unfortunately, year after year, we continue to see motorists under the influence of drugs or alcohol compromising not only their own safety but the safety of others. This summer, we are asking that motorists plan ahead and take steps to ensure they are only getting behind the wheel when sober.”

RCMP says that in 2020, about 20 per cent of all fatal motor vehicle collisions in Alberta RCMP jurisdictions involved impaired driving. Officers removed 310 impaired drivers from our roadways in July 2020 alone. Unfortunately, eight of these incidents resulted in bodily harm.

Albertans can do their part to prevent impaired driving by practicing the following safety tips this Canada Day and all summer long:

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• Never get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle when impaired.
• Arrange a sober ride to and from your destinations if you are planning on consuming drugs or alcohol.
• Do not operate off-highway or recreational vehicles while impaired. It is illegal and dangerous.
• Stand up against impaired driving and encourage others to practice smart driving behaviours.