May 2024 impaired drivers up 350%

Parkland County, AB

Parkland County, Alta - Parkland RCMP have noticed a dramatic uptick in impaired drivers during the month of May 2024.  This may be in relation to having nicer weather or fans celebrating the local hockey team’s playoff run.  Since the beginning of May 2024, police have arrested 9 impaired drivers to date.  There were only two impaired drivers located during the entire month of May 2023. This is a 350% increase!

These incidents included the following:

• May 1 - Parkland RCMP located a vehicle travelling excessively slow on Highway 16 near Range road 22.  Police identified the intoxicated driver as a 43-year-old intoxicated female from Drayton Valley was arrested.
• May 1 - Parkland RCMP responded to a domestic violence complaint in Stony Plain.  The 25-year-old intoxicated male from Spruce Grove departed the location in a vehicle prior to police attending.  He was quickly located and apprehended.
• May 3 - Parkland RCMP were flagged down on Highway 60 by a concerned citizen, as a truck was weaving in and out of the ditch.  A 54-year-old intoxicated male driver from Beaver County was apprehended.
• May 6  - A Lac Ste Anne Peace Officer requested assistance from Parkland RCMP with a vehicle fire on Range Road 32.  Police located a 23-year-old intoxicated male driver from Darwell, in the burning vehicle.  He was removed from the vehicle; the fire was extinguished and the male was apprehended.
• May 8 - Parkland RCMP witnessed a two-vehicle collision on McLeod Street, Spruce Grove.  An intoxicated 34-year-old male driver from Spruce Grove rear ended another vehicle and was subsequently arrested.
• May 8 - Parkland RCMP observed a vehicle driving erratically on Aspenglen Place, Spruce Grove.  An intoxicated 22-year-old male driver from Spruce Grove was arrested.
• May 9 - Parkland RCMP responded to a minor traffic collision on Meadowland Crescent, Spruce Grove.  Police located an intoxicated 32-year-old male driver who caused the collision.  He was subsequently detained.
• May 10 - Parkland RCMP received request for patrols of Highway 16a after a red sedan almost struck two photo radar “Drive Safe” vehicles in Edmonton.  Parkland RCMP located the vehicle in Spruce Grove.  The 40-year-old intoxicated male driver from Spruce Grove was arrested.
• May 19 – Parkland RCMP responded to a report of an intoxicated male who was sleeping in his running vehicle in the Tri-Leisure parking lot.  Police located a 44-year-old male Mexican National, who was subsequently detained.

All of these drivers were issued a 90-day driving suspension under Immediate Roadside Sanctions(IRS) that apply to impaired driving under the Alberta Traffic Safety Act.  They also received a 30-day vehicle seizure.

Parkland RCMP would like everyone to get home safely from their celebrations and recommend making arrangements ahead of time for a sober designated driver (DD) if you are celebrating an event with alcohol or marihuana.  If you do not have a DD, call a sober friend or family member, a taxi or a ride sharing service.  Safe roads are everyone’s responsibility.

If you suspect an impaired driver, call 911 immediately.  Crime Stoppers now allows you to report habitual impaired drivers anonymously.  You can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

-  30 -