With the campground at Craven opening for Country Thunder, Saskatchewan RCMP held checkstops on Highway 11 near Chamberlain on Wednesday and Thursday.
More than 3,000 drivers were stopped over the two days.
Police administered 33 roadside cannabis tests, resulting in 15 tickets, as well as roadside suspensions and vehicle impoundments.
“We’ve issued a number of roadside suspensions for cannabis use before driving. It’s important for all drivers in Saskatchewan to know that you are not allowed to use cannabis and then drive,” said RCMP Const. Mario Chabot.
Other violations recorded during the checkstop included:
- One roadside suspension for alcohol use
- One roadside suspension for cocaine use
- 20 vehicle impoundments for drug or alcohol use before driving
- One criminal charge for impaired operation of a vehicle
- Four tickets for open liquor in a vehicle
- 214 total tickets issued, including three seatbelt violations, 29 for speeding, and one for speeding more than 50 kilometres over the limit, resulting in an impoundment
- 22 tickets or warnings for trailer/towing-related violations
- Three seizures of illicit cannabis
Officers also issued 247 warnings and provided two car seats to drivers transporting children without proper or safe child restraints.
More than 30 officers from eight RCMP detachments and three partner agencies participated in the checkstop. This included Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan units from Rosetown, Meadow Lake, Maidstone, Martensville, Melfort, North Battleford, Fort Qu’Appelle and Lanigan, along with members from the Regina Police Service and Saskatoon Police Service.
“Motorists are generally glad to see officers taking impaired drivers off the road and deterring driving behaviours like speeding that put others at risk,” said Chabot. “We want to thank everyone who passed through the Chamberlain traffic stop this week for their patience and shared commitment to safety, as well as the many officers who dedicated their time.”