In the span of one month during the holiday season, Yukon RCMP officers stopped about 325 vehicles, and charged nine people in the Whitehorse area with impaired driving.
This is a drop from 2017 numbers during the same timeframe, when 15 people were charged with impaired driving in the city.
Last week, the police released a summary of the results from their stops that occurred between Dec. 1, 2018 and Jan. 1, 2019.
There were more than 17 check-stops across the territory last month, spokesperson Coralee Reid said in a written statement. There were additional traffic stops, but it’s unclear how many.
No one from the traffic unit was available for comment.
According to a press release, 50 charges were laid, ranging from having no insurance to fleeing from police.
Traffic officers reported fewer cars on the roads in December, Reid said.
“Traffic was lighter than usual, even on Friday and Saturday nights,” she said.
Cannabis impairment is not included in the list.
“The drivers charged with impaired-related offences in December all happened to be impaired by alcohol,” Reid said.
Eleven drivers were charged with speeding, the most common charge.
Ten drivers received 24-hour suspensions.
“It may be that the individual has blown a ‘warn,’ or is showing signs of impairment by drugs or alcohol, but does not meet the threshold for the Criminal Code definition of impaired driving,” Reid said.
As of Dec. 18, 2018, police can now demand a mandatory breath sample from any driver who has been legally stopped, according to the press release.
“RCMP officers in the Yukon are conducting the screening at random. So far, the feedback from drivers has been largely positive,” it says. “Officers continue to emphasize to drivers that the screening is in place to make the roads safer for everyone, including those being asked to provide the sample.”
The full results from the stops are:
24-hour suspension: 10
Impaired (all by alcohol): 9
Impaired causing bodily harm: 1
Refusal: 2
Failure to remain at the scene of a collision: 1
Prohibited drivers: 6
Dangerous operation: 1
Flight from police: 1
Speeding: 11
Intersection related offences: 5
Seatbelt: 1
No insurance: 2
Contact Julien Gignac at julien.gignac@yukon-news.com