As the Canada Day long weekend arrives and traffic is set to increase on roadways as people make for campgrounds, cabins and festivals, Portage la Prairie RCMP urges motorists to practice good road safety.

Police say in a release, in 2017 alone, Portage la Prairie RCMP have responded to calls of 100 suspected impaired drivers on our roads, with 31 of those incidents resulting in charges. Over 1,800 motorists have been stopped in that same time frame, with over 1,600 of those receiving various fines for speeding, failing to wear seatbelts, disobeying traffic signals and distracted driving.

In addition, Portage RCMP have been called to 117 collisions this year. Two of those accidents were fatal, and five had serious injuries.

“We just urge all motorists to slow down, keep both eyes on the road, and refrain from having alcoholic beverages before getting behind the wheel,” says Portage RCMP Const. Sean O'Keefe. “This will go a long way to make sure the weekend stays memorable for the festivities, not the tragedies.”