It was a busy week for local RCMP Officers. They received a total of 320 calls for services, and responded to 129 traffic violations, as well as several other incidents. Constable Sean O'Keefe says one of those complaints was the result of an impaired driver. He notes RCMP were able to arrest the individual after several complaints, and also received some additional public assistance on the matter.

"Our officers arrived on scene and took her into custody, but not before one of the complainants was able to take the keys away from her. We all feel that more incidents, maybe property damage of loss of life, could have occurred if this woman was to get behind the wheel again. There's a good deal of praise to the person who took the keys away. We'd never ask anyone to put themselves into harms way, obviously, but when taking public safety into consideration that person did the right thing."

Another instance saw a driver speed passed a stopped RCMP Cruiser, which had its lights on at the time. Fines were introduced two years ago to address those speeding by emergency crews, and O'Keefe says it's something motorists need to be aware of.

"We've had a very big increase in enforcement relating to passing emergency services vehicles while they're performing their duties road-side. Be it police, ambulance, fire, tow truck drivers, this is their work place, just the same as construction zones, so people are asked to slow down."

O'Keefe says it's not surprising more motorists are hitting the road with the warm weather, but says everyone should keep safety top of mind.

For more information:
RCMP Weekly Report