A joint roadside checkstop program by Manitoba RCMP, Winnipeg police and CP police at the Perimeter Highway and Portage Avenue on Friday, December 15, 2017. (RCMP HANDOUT / FILE)
Manitoba RCMP will be ramping up enforcement on roadways across the province beginning Sunday as part of the annual Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP).
Officers from all detachments and traffic services units will be participating in the holiday checkstop program, focusing on the detection and apprehension of impaired drivers and other high risk driving behaviours.
More than 11,700 vehicles were checked during 262 checkstops last year, resulting in 105 people being charged with impaired driving. Thirty roadside suspensions were issued and five people were killed in traffic-related collisions.
“The RCMP is committed to ensuring the safety of everyone travelling on Manitoba roads and educating the public in safe driving practices continues to be our priority,” said Insp. Chris Moore, Officer in Charge of “D” Division Traffic Services.
“We are doing our part by raising public awareness about road safety and conducting traffic enforcement programs, the driving public has to do their part by adjusting their driving habits to make Manitoba’s roads safer.”
The program, which runs until January 1, 2020, is the first since the province will implement tougher penalties for impaired driving effective December 16.
