By Brittney Matejka

Police will be operating holiday checkstops beginning this weekend

Dec 1, 2017 | 4:16 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB. – The Medicine Hat Police are beginning their annual holiday checkstop campaign this weekend.

City police will be teaming up with the RCMP and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) to conduct the organized check stops said Sgt. Clark White, they are hoping to deterring drivers from getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or drugs.

“Alcohol-related offences tend to go up during the holiday season, while people are out celebrating the holidays and going to their Christmas parties,” he explained. “What we are hoping for is people find alternative ways home and safe ways home so that were not dealing with impaired drivers on the roads.”

White explained city police have arrested 108 people for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In 2016, 120 drivers were arrested for impaired driving and White hopes they will have fewer arrests this holiday season.

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“Our goal is not to go out and arrest impaired drivers at check stops,” he explained. “The whole purpose of the checkstop program is to try and deter the impaired driving from happening in the first place; our goal to prevent crime.”

Going through a check stop is relatively easy for drivers Sgt. White explained, especially if they are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“If you have a designated driver and it’s clear to us as you approach the checkstop that alcohol is not a concern, it’s going to be four to five seconds, the process is pretty quick,” he said.

Alternate driving services like Keys Please or Another Choice are available in the City of Medicine Hat to help get drivers and their vehicles get home safely if they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.