WINNIPEG – The Festive Season Checkstop program is on the road for 2018 and will run every day for the month of December, including New Year’s Eve. Motorists can expect to see more police officers on the streets of Winnipeg enforcing Impaired Driving legislation.

Impaired driving continues to be the #1 criminal cause of death in Canada, yet it is 100% preventable. The recent legalization of Cannabis has brought forward further concerns surrounding drug-impaired driving. It’s important to know that driving while impaired by Cannabis, is a crime. In preparation for legalization, the Winnipeg Police Service increased the number of officers trained to detect and arrest drug-impaired drivers.

Our message is simple – if you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs, DON’T DRIVE.

Week 1 (Saturday, December 1 to Friday, December 7) results:

1602 cars stopped

88 Roadside breath tests administered resulting in 6 warns and 1 fail

5 impaired driving related charges (1 Drug Impaired Driver)

1 cannabis positive Oral Fluid Device test

2 non-driving related criminal arrests

89 Provincial Offence Act tickets were issued

The Winnipeg Police Service would like everyone to have a safe and enjoyable festive season.

The 2018 Festive Checkstop program is made possible through our supporting partner, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries.