While Cochrane RCMP was hopeful check stop results would remain relatively consistent in comparison to the previous two weekends out, that was not the case.

Sergeant Dave Hardy, Integrated Traffic Services states, unfortunately, they saw a rise in the number of infractions from check stops conducted between Friday and Monday evening (December 14-17). "There were four impaired driving charges, three provincial driving sanctioned suspensions issued, and three suspended drivers including three vehicle seizures that came along with those suspended drivers. There was an increase in impaired driving charges from the previous weeks so that's not a good thing."

With mandatory alcohol screening coming into effect, Sgt. Hardy says they have a little more power under their belts and they will be curious to see what comes from it. "When we conduct any lawful traffic stop or check stop, an officer can and will demand a roadside test and we don't need to form grounds in regards to prior alcohol use or consumption, it is done by all parties that are brought into a traffic stop that is lawful."

Changes to the way testing is conducted will better help officers intercept impaired drivers all around. "There are certain circumstances where officers can't detect the smell of liquor on a person's breath or in their car dependent on what they have been consuming and what the environmental factors are like outside. When it is really cold it gets a little more difficult to use your senses, so there are times when it is just not possible for an officer to detect the smell or see signs and the mandatory alcohol screening will alleviate us missing those people."

While Hardy can't predict exactly what the stats will show, he is certain the number of intercepted drivers will increase. "There are times when there is no doubt, you will miss out on a person, won't detect it and some officers are better detecting than others and so not having to form those initial grounds is going to correct that deficiency we currently have."

Anticipating some fairly big learning curves over the next few weeks when it comes to changes to procedure, more paperwork, and check stop placement, Hardy says no new staffing resources are being allocated. "We will have the same resources out and it's going be business as usual. We will have to be a little more strategic in how we set up check stops because there will obviously be a little more time involved in getting a person through the line and processed. We are going to just see where it goes but apparently it has quite an enormous effect on impaired driving-related collisions."

As we head into the last few days prior to Christmas, Hardy says enjoy but be safe. "Enjoy the weekends and enjoy your time towards the holiday season and use some alternatives if you're going to be drinking. There are so many repercussions and extra means to get apprehended, if you are consuming alcohol it is just best to plan ahead and use alternatives if that's what you choose to do."