City police catch more impaired drivers in first year of holiday checkstop program’s mandatory screening

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This article was published 07/01/2025 (246 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The number of people caught with booze on their breath spiked year over year during the Winnipeg Police Service’s annual checkstop program, which introduced mandatory screenings for the first time.

City police charged six motorists with criminal impaired driving and issued another 20 immediate roadside prohibitions during the last week of their checkstop program, bringing the latter number to 106 throughout the four-week program — 44 more than in 2023.

WPS impaired driving countermeasures co-ordinator Patrol Sgt. Stephane Fontaine said there is no doubt in his mind that the move to mandatory screening for the monthlong program led to far fewer impaired drivers slipping through the cracks.

“We were definitely efficient and successful in finding many driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs,” Fontaine said, adding that the 124 drivers arrested or suspended had their licences suspended and vehicles impounded.

“We’re preventing harm, or any more harm, and that’s satisfying to us. Public safety is No. 1 for us, so getting impaired drivers off the road is imperative.”

Fontaine said mandatory screening will continue to be utilized whenever possible.

WPS stopped 912 vehicles during the final week of the program, and 3,933 total. Four drivers failed drug screenings, for a total of 30 impaired-driving incidents.

Police arrested six drivers in the program’s final week.

Of the drivers they encountered, 124 were found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Eighteen were charged criminally with impaired driving (with four impaired by drugs), up from 11 last year, and 106 were given roadside prohibitions, including 12 who failed drug screenings (11 for cannabis, one for cocaine), compared to the five they issued last year.

Officers issued 93 traffic tickets, down from 111 in 2023.

The highest blood-alcohol concentration was .27, more than three times the legal limit of .08.

Eight impaired drivers were involved in collisions, and four were found unconscious behind the wheel.

Fontaine said situations when drivers are pass out can become quite dangerous for both the driver and police.

“Some of these, they’re stopped at a red light, and they pass out,” Fontaine said. “Their car is often still in drive, the vehicle is running and, luckily, the foot stays on the brake.”

He said other incidents happen in parking lots where people must be woken up. If their car is still running, sometimes the vehicle will begin moving.

“Extremely dangerous and very, very concerning,” Fontaine said.

The average age of an impaired driver was 34, with the youngest 16 and the oldest 49.

Fontaine said the incident involving the 16-year-old went beyond impaired-driving, but he wasn’t prepared to get into details.

The WPS message remains steadfast.

“Our message is always as simple as possible — if you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs, simply don’t drive,” Fontaine said. “And don’t think because the holiday is over that our enforcement efforts have ended.”

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca