700 Lethbridge drivers rolled through the Christmas Check Stop this past weekend, as Lethbridge Police Services, with help from Alberta Sheriffs, were checking vehicles for impaired drivers.
Of the 700 vehicles checked, one driver was arrested for impaired driving, three Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) Fails were issued, as well as two warnings, and one graduated driving license suspension.
If an IRS Fail is issued, it can result in a 15-month suspension, 30-day vehicle seizure,$1,000 fine and a mandatory completion of the planning ahead course.
Drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of .05 or over are subject to an IRS Warning, which results in an immediate three-day license suspension and vehicle seizure along with a $300 fine. These penalties increase with any repeated offenses.
Any drivers with a Graduated Drivers License have a ZERO tolerance policy and offenses result in an immediate 30-day license suspension, seven-day vehicle seizure and a $200 fine.
The Christmas Check Stop Campaign will be continuing throughout the holiday season in an effort to get impaired drivers off the road.
LPS says that if you plan to drink, plan ahead and make arrangements for a safe ride home, either by cab, having a sober driver, or using Operation Red Nose.
