RCMP Constable providing informational material to a camper entering Meadow Lake Provincial Park during the May long weekend. (Submitted photo/Meadow Lake RCMP)

By Elliott Knopp

May Long Campaign

Meadow Lake RCMP, Youth Advisory Committee sober driving campaign sees success over May long weekend

May 28, 2021 | 4:58 PM

Over the May long weekend, the Meadow Lake RCMP engaged in a high-visibility enforcement campaign with the intent of discouraging drivers from drinking and driving.

Meadow Lake RCMP Community Program Officer Maryah Walker explained the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) had identified the normalization of drinking and driving as something they wanted to address and flag in the community.

The YAC and the Meadow Lake RCMP kicked off the campaign over the long weekend in collaboration with the Meadow Lake Combined Traffic Services Section, Ministry of Environment conservation officers, Meadow Lake Provincial Park and SGI.

“We know that in Saskatchewan, we have some of the highest rates of drinking and driving in this country and the highest rates of fatalities as a result of impaired driving,” Walker said.

“We have basically come together to work collaboratively over the weekend to have high visibility enforcement. I’m sure it’s of no surprise to anyone, the RCMP historically has had high-visibility enforcement on Saskatchewan highways and waterways over the long weekend for as far back as we can remember.”

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Officers set up numerous check stops on highways, engaged in frequent patrols in the provincial park on water and on land. The Meadow Lake RCMP stated it received 86 calls over the long weekend, but a majority of them were minor incidents. Two impaired drivers were arrested and charged, one in the Green Lake area, and the other on Highway 903.

Drivers visiting Meadow Lake Provincial Park were greeted by some members of the YAC and the participating organizations. Boat patrols on Greig Lake and Green Lake revealed that everyone the RCMP encountered on the water was sober and compliant with boating regulations.

Walker added these efforts were to ensure that resources were being deployed efficiently so the optimal responses to calls for service met the community’s needs to keep people safe.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp