ESTEVAN — With the holiday season fast approaching, the Estevan Police Service (EPS) is taking a proactive stance against impaired driving by participating in the annual December Arrive Alive campaign.
Estevan Police Chief Jamie Blunden outlined the initiative in a recent interview, emphasizing the need for heightened community awareness and responsibility during this festive yet high-risk time.
"We have four specific high-visibility check stop dates set: November 30, December 13, December 20 and December 31. We're going to have extra patrols out there doing the high visibility," Blunden said. "And then on top of that, we're going to see if we can have some extra patrols with just the members, specifically over the holiday season."
For the campaign, which focuses on both alcohol and drug-impaired driving, the EPS also wants to collaborate with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD).
"We're making some headway with both MADD and SADD," Blunden said. "We're looking to try and do a positive ticketing campaign at the same time we're doing that high visibility."
While increased attention will be paid to signs of impairment on the roads, Blunden said they hope the community will co-operate and make good choices.
"We're hoping everybody out there complies with the laws and makes arrangements for a safe ride home. No matter what you're doing, if you're going to have a few drinks, or if you're going to embark on any sort of participation in the cannabis area, then we're hoping that everybody does make those pre-arrangements in order to get home safely," Blunden said.
He also highlighted the significance of community participation, especially with the increase in social gatherings in December.
"December is one of those months when individuals have house parties, Christmas parties and get ready for the New Year's parties leading up to New Year's. So, we do see an increase in drinking and participating in those festivities, and when that happens, ultimately, some bad decisions are made more often in the month of December than they are most of the other months," Blunden said.
"So, we want to make sure that everybody's aware that we have extra patrols out there. We're doing extra programs to try to make those roads safe. So, I think it's incumbent upon our community to make sure that the members out there are thinking about everyone else on the street, and if people can help somebody out by giving them a ride home if they're sober, that's fantastic, that's what we are looking for."
He also praised local individuals for their proactive measures in ensuring safe transportation. For bigger community events, businesses often sponsor cab rides home, and some party organizers rent buses to allow for safe transportation.
"Hats off to the people that do that," Blunden said. "It makes it a safer place for everybody, especially over the holidays coming up here."
One of the tendencies Blunden noticed over the past years is the increase in drug-impaired driving charges. While there is a combination of factors that might be contributing, Blunden explained that advancements in detection technology have contributed to more accurate identification of drug-impaired drivers.
"The police now have a lot of opportunities to detect and determine that someone's been impaired by drug. All the different mechanisms we can use to detect the drugs have gone a long way," he said.
"Ultimately, at the end of the day, we're in 2024 here, and everyone knows that impaired driving is a no-go area now, and we want everybody to be safe out there."
The Report Impaired Drivers (RID) line is another tool law enforcement has, in which members of the public can report someone they suspect getting behind the wheel while impaired.
The EPS encourages everyone to plan ahead. Whether it's using designated drivers or ride services, or staying overnight, the key is to avoid impaired driving at all costs.
"If you're hosting a party, ensure guests get home safely," Blunden urged. "If you're out with someone that's been drinking, make sure they don't get behind the wheel, and ultimately find a safe ride home.
"If you're impaired, make sure that you're letting somebody else drive, or if you're sober and giving somebody a ride home, hats off to you."
The EPS is committed to maintaining a safe environment throughout the holiday period.
"We want everyone to have a happy and very, very safe festive season," Blunden concluded. "Watch out for each other out there, and drive safely."
