A veteran RCMP officer from Manitoba says this is the worst time of the year to have to break the news to a family member that their loved one has died in a traffic accident.
Sergeant Paul Manaigre says it is something he has had to do too often throughout his 29-year career. And, he says it is that much worse when the death was caused by something so easily preventable, like impaired driving.
The annual RCMP Holiday Checkstop Program has launched in Manitoba. Sergeant Manaigre says they chose this time of year to run the month-long campaign because the consumption of alcohol tends to increase with the holidays. He notes people seem to go out more often during the Christmas season, which can lead to them drinking more than they are accustomed to.
"We're targeting that high-risk driving behaviour of impaired driving," he says. "With the holiday season approaching you do tend to see more people partaking in the consumption of alcohol."
Sergeant Manaigre explains that if a vehicle is pulled over, the motorist can expect to provide a breath sample.
"Basically, any vehicle that's being pulled over, our officers are being asked to provide this alcohol screening," he says.
According to Sergeant Manaigre, nearly 1,500 impaired drivers have been pulled off of Manitoba highways in 2024.
"The numbers don't lie," he says. "Drinking and driving is prevalent 12 months of the year."
Sergeant Manaigre says so far this year, there have been 70 deaths on Manitoba roadways. He notes that number is a tad lower than normal. However, in 20 of those 70 deaths, there was confirmed or suspected alcohol use. The most recent death involving an impaired driver happened last Friday when a 69-year-old woman from Peguis died in a crash south of Fisher Branch. A 60-year-old man from Gardenton was arrested for impaired driving causing death.
"It doesn't need to happen," he says. "And it's the last thing an officer wants to do is having to provide notification to the family that they've lost a loved one for no valid reason."
Sergeant Manaigre says it is shocking that RCMP still have to remind motorists not to get behind the wheel if they have been consuming alcohol.
"Even though people might think they are safe to get behind the wheel, usually the stats and our results will show otherwise," he adds.