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EDMONTON — A one-day checkstop blitz held at the beginning of December resulted in charged against 153 drivers.

Alberta RCMP conducted checkstops in 259 different locations across the province on Friday, Dec. 4. More than 20,500 vehicles were stopped and checked as part of a Canada-wide RCMP enforcement campaign.

The checkstop blitz resulted in the following charges:

46 drivers charged with being impaired by alcohol

73 roadside suspensions issued due to alcohol

34 roadside suspensions issued due to drugs

READ MORE: RCMP host Alberta-wide checkstop blitz on Friday

While the overall number of drivers charged is down over last year’s checkstop blitz on Dec. 5, officers said the number of people impaired by alcohol increased. There was also a “significant increase” in the number of suspensions issued to drivers allegedly impaired by drugs.

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“We are seeing more drivers behind the wheel who are impaired by drugs,” said Superintendent Ian Lawson with Alberta RCMP Traffic Services.

“Albertans of all ages need to understand that driving after using drugs, even prescription drugs, can be just as dangerous as drinking and driving.” Tweet This

RCMP said research suggests drug-impaired driving is becoming as prevalent as drinking and driving. Drug-involved crashes are more likely to happen than alcohol-involved crashes during the daytime hours on weekdays, police added.

Related News One-day checkstop blitz nabs 166 impaired drivers on Alberta roads