RCMP vehicle, Wikimedia Commons, CC License
FORT McMURRAY — Wood Buffalo RCMP are stepping up impaired driving enforcement and winter road safety efforts as holiday gatherings, darker days and slippery streets combine to raise risks on local roads.
Mounties say drivers should expect more check stops in and around Fort McMurray and the wider Wood Buffalo region through the season. Officers will use Mandatory Alcohol Screening as a routine tool at these stops, meaning most drivers can expect to provide a roadside breath sample if pulled over.
Police are reminding motorists with a Graduated Driver’s Licence that Alberta’s zero tolerance law applies at all times. Any presence of alcohol can lead to immediate consequences for GDL drivers, regardless of how they feel behind the wheel.
RCMP say impaired driving remains entirely preventable and urge people to plan their ride home before drinking or using substances. Suggested options include booking a taxi or rideshare in advance, arranging a sober designated driver, using public transit where available or staying overnight with friends or family instead of driving.
Officers are also asking party hosts to watch alcohol use at holiday events, offer non alcoholic drinks to drivers and help guests find safe transportation home. Police say friends and relatives should intervene if someone has had too much to drink, rather than letting them get behind the wheel.
Mounties note impairment is not limited to alcohol. Cannabis, certain prescription medications and other drugs can slow reaction times and affect judgment, with the same legal and safety consequences as drinking and driving.
With winter conditions settling in, Wood Buffalo RCMP are pairing their impaired driving message with broader road safety reminders. Drivers are urged to wear seatbelts at all times and dress for the weather in case a vehicle breaks down or gets stuck.
Police recommend making vehicles winter ready by installing snow tires, checking lights and completely clearing snow and frost from windows, mirrors and lights before driving. They warn that cruise control can be dangerous on snow or ice because it may prevent drivers from reacting quickly enough to changing traction.
Officers say motorists should always adjust speed and following distance to match road and visibility conditions. On snowy or dark days, headlights should be turned on so other drivers can see approaching vehicles.
If a vehicle becomes stuck or breaks down, RCMP advise staying with the vehicle unless a service station is clearly visible nearby. Drivers should contact roadside assistance or emergency services if a breakdown happens on a highway or in a hazardous location.
Police also recommend keeping an emergency kit in every vehicle, including blankets, extra clothing, non perishable food and water, basic first aid supplies, booster cables and a flashlight with spare batteries.
Anyone who sees or suspects impaired driving is urged to call 911. RCMP say public reports help officers decide where to patrol and who to look for. People who want to share information about criminal or suspicious activity anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers by phone, online or through the P3 Tips app.
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