LPS getting ready for Check Stop campaign

The Lethbridge Police Service is preparing for a higher number of impaired drivers this Christmas season. The LPS is kicking off their Christmas Check Stop campaign this weekend. In 2020, the police noticed a decrease in the number of drivers out on the roads. Only one impaired driving charge was given last year during the campaign. The Acting-Sgt. with the Traffic Response Unit of the LPS, Brent Paxman, says this is the second Check Stop where police are now able to implement Bill 21.

“What that looks like is essentially we can hand out immediate roadside sanctions. Meaning no actual criminal charges would be laid, unless there’s other circumstances obviously. That will lessen our downtime as the old process would take one to two officers off the road in a four hour period. This new process is done roadside so we don’t have to leave that check stop. It can usually be done in an hour by one officer.”

The main goal of the program is to locate and apprehend impaired drivers. Police will also be checking for up to date driver’s licenses, vehicle registration and insurance.

If you see an impaired driver, pull over and call 9-1-1 when it’s safe to do so.