WATCH: So far, 11 check stops have been held this holiday season, and more arrests and suspensions are taking place. Vinesh Pratap has the details.
EDMONTON – Edmonton police say 38 people had their driving privileges suspended last weekend after being caught driving impaired.
The three-day blitz brings the total number of impaired arrests during the Edmonton Police Service’s Holiday Campaign to 69, which is a slight increase from the previous year. There has also been 83 roadside suspensions during the period, which is 15 more than there was at the same time in 2013.
“The message clearly isn’t getting out,” said Sgt. Conrad Moschansky with the EPS. “We’d like to remind citizens of Edmonton that we are working Checkstops, we are intensifying our program.
“We’d like to be put out of business, we really would. But business, unfortunately, is very good.”
READ MORE: 17 charged with impaired driving this weekend in Edmonton
However, part of the reason why more drivers are being caught for impaired driving could be because more Edmontonians are notifying police when they suspect a driver is impaired. Police say they’ve received 111 tips as part of the Curb the Danger program, resulting in 13 impaired charges being laid.
“For the impaired drivers out there, it’s not only us the police that are looking out for you, it’s the citizens of the city. The Curb the Danger program is a very powerful program,” said Moschansky.
READ MORE: One-day checkstop blitz nabs 166 impaired drivers on Alberta roads
Police launched their Holiday Checkstop campaign on Dec. 4, and it will continue into the New Year.
The checkstop program involves vehicle-stop locations and roving patrols across the city looking for impaired drivers.