Saskatchewan RCMP Combined Traffic Services units were extra busy this May long around the communities of North Battleford, Glaslyn and Turtleford.

Police presence typically becomes more noticeable during long weekends. The provincial unit had their own setup, while local units from the Rosetown RCMP and Meadow Lake RCMP joined together to conduct their own operation on Highway #4 north of North Battleford.

As part of the mentioned May long weekend initiative, Friday saw the Rosetown/Meadow Lake joint team stop approximately 200-250 vehicles between the period of 5:00-8:45 PM.

The pro-active checks over a nearly four hour period resulted in the following:

  • 25 tickets were issued in total
  • 93 warnings were issued
  • 15 inspection tickets were issued for vehicle equipment violations (a compliance order until the issue identified is rectified)
  • 5 people charged for having a suspended license/no driver’s license/driver with only a learner’s license
  • 5 unregistered vehicles identified
  • 3 unregistered trailers identified
  • 14 trailers taken out of service due to non-compliance with vehicle equipment regulations

The rest of the results from the weekend go as follows:

  • 96 tickets were issued
  • 243 warnings were issued
  • 25 inspection tickets were issued for vehicle equipment violations (a compliance order until the issue identified is rectified)
  • 50 mandatory alcohol screening demands conducted resulted in two, three-day license suspensions
  • 1 person was charged with impaired driving
  • 2 vehicles were impounded
  • 3 charges for having open alcohol in a vehicle
  • 1 charge for a minor in possession of alcohol
  • 20 unregistered vehicles identified
  • 10 unregistered trailers identified
  • 14 people charged for having a suspended license/no driver’s license/driver with only a learner’s license
  • 43 vehicles taken out of service until issues identified (for example: brake lights are not working) can be rectified

“You can tell by the number of warnings issued that our goal was road safety education this weekend,” shared Cpl. Ray Bouchard of Saskatchewan RCMP CTSS. “Our officers provided guidance to motorists when vehicle equipment violations were identified. One example of this was a golf cart being towed on a trailer which required extra straps to secure it properly. Because the weather is just warming up, we wanted to ensure issues were identified now so people towing boats, trailers and campers are safely traveling on the road all season long.”

These activities are for the best, because long weekends and other holidays are typically a time for increased traffic, and with increased volume, there will likely be some heavier results.