WINNIPEG, MB. – The annual Holiday Checkstop program is not off to a good start, charges made in week one of this year compared to last are up.

In the first 10 days Manitoba RCMP say 50 people have been charged with Impaired driving offences. The highest blood/alcohol reading was 340 mgs% which is more than 4 times the legal limit.

RCMP said in a release that between December 1 and 10, 2383 vehicles were checked across Manitoba during 51 Checkstops.

As a result of the checkstops and regular patrol duties include:

• 50 people charged with a Criminal Code Impaired Driving offence (all alcohol related)
• 23 alcohol-related tiered administrative roadside suspensions
• 882 traffic-related provincial statute (Highway Traffic Act) charges laid (majority for speeding and seatbelt offences) along with 200 warnings
• 10 Liquor & Gaming Control Act (LGCA) offences
• 11 Other Criminal Code Driving offences

RCMP said, last year during week one, there was one traffic-related fatality and 33 people charged with Criminal Code Impaired Driving offences.

The Manitoba Post

Photo courtesy of the Manitoba RCMP