With Saturday (December 1) being National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day you can expect to see an increased number of law enforcement officers on the roadway for the day and throughout the remainder of the month.

Cochrane RCMP, Sergeant Dave Hardy with Integrated Traffic Services, says checkstop blitzes in early December provide a very visible reminder that the RCMP and Alberta Sheriffs will be out on the roads looking to intercept impaired drivers.

Although, impaired related driving offenses during December has remained relatively status quo for the Cochrane area, Sgt. Hardy, says this year it is anyone's guess. "It is going to be an interesting month and we would like to remind everybody that impaired driving is a preventable crime. Most people don't consider themselves capable of hurting or killing another person and if you drink and drive you risk becoming capable of doing just that. Sadly, it's a decision you make and you have to live with the consequences of that decision, so it's something to really think about before getting in your car when you are under the influence of alcohol/drugs."

With the recent legalization of cannabis, Sgt. Hardy says members will be looking for a few more things this holiday season. "For example, if you are operating a motor vehicle and consuming alcohol, consuming drugs, or consuming both alcohol and drugs together, law enforcement has been provided both Provincial and Federal authority to initiate and complete the required investigations. Depending on the circumstances of the incident and the follow-up investigation, a person may find themselves arrested and facing criminal driving charges combined with provincial driving licence sanctions and vehicle seizures."

Consequences for getting behind the wheel when you are impaired by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both can lead to a lengthy list of charges and expenses. "There are provisions for police to investigate and you will face an immediate 90-day licence suspension if charges are laid followed by a one-year driving suspension with eligibility to participate in the ignition air lock program, your vehicle will be seized for three days and if convicted you will find yourself with a criminal record."

All law enforcement officers can do is hope and continue to drive home the message that there is no reason to drive under the influence, says Sergeant Hardy. "We are hopeful that Alberta roads will be safe for all users as we enjoy this holiday season."

With so many options available to drivers, Hardy says if you plan to indulge, plan ahead. "We are all responsible and we should all be thinking that way. There are lots of options like public transportation, staying overnight at a friends house or booking a hotel, car ride programs and using a designated driver."

Checkstops will be frequent, moving around with roving patrols and set up on main arteries with little option to avoid them. "If you are really intent on drinking and driving or using drugs and driving, there's a good chance you're going to be intercepted over the next month.

Lastly, it is a painful reminder for all first responders, shares Hardy, when they end up attending the scene of an impaired incident. "Those are the reminders, to us, of why we are out there doing this job, that makes us work harder and do more to keep our roads safe. And that begins with getting out there and intercepting the people committing the violations."