(Photos from Alberta RCMP on Twitter @RCMPAlberta)

By Justin Goulet/LethbridgeNewsNOW

121 impaired drivers stopped by Alberta RCMP over May long weekend

May 27, 2021 | 9:40 AM

EDMONTON – Over the course of the May 21-24 long weekend, 121 impaired drivers were removed from Alberta roads by RCMP this past weekend.

Mounties reported that in participation with National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day last Saturday, May 22, officers were out patrolling highways in the province and apprehending motorists under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

61 drivers received Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) FAILs for driving with blood alcohol concentrations of .08 or greater. It was the second or even third FAIL occurrence for six of those drivers. 25 received IRS WARNs with blood alcohol concentrations of 0.05 to 0.079.

Additionally, 23 motorists holding GDL licenses were issued suspensions and vehicle seizures due to having blood alcohol concentrations greater than zero.

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The Alberta RCMP said that residents made several 911 calls to local detachments to report possible impaired driving. Nine of those calls resulted in the drivers being processed for impaired driving. One call led to officers calling for an ambulance, as the motorist was not impaired, but was actually dealing with a medical issue.

NOTABLE STOPS

In St. Paul, Traffic Services spotted a driver known to be on a five-year Canada-wide criminal driving prohibition. After initiating a vehicle stop, the driver was found to have eight outstanding warrants and was driving impaired.

A check stop in Nordegg found a GDL driver who had been drinking, according to RCMP. The driver was issued an IRS ZERO: Novice, receiving a 30-day license suspension and seven-day vehicle seizure.

In Whitecourt, a driver was stopped for traveling 136 km/h in a 110 km/h zone. The motorist was subject to a mandatory alcohol screening and received an IRS CAUTION. This resulted in a three-day license suspension and vehicle seizure, as well as a $300 fine and a $220 ticket for speeding.

In Brooks, an impaired driver was reported to be traveling on the wrong way on the Trans-Canada Highway. Mounties were able to locate the vehicle “before anything tragic occurred”.