Police Checkstops On The Look Out For Drunk Drivers Over The Holidays [Archive] - Beyond.ca - Car Forums

bjstare

12-09-2010, 04:49 PM

Law enforcement agencies throughout Alberta will target impaired drivers in coordinated Checkstops this holiday season. The message is clear say police: driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be tolerated. In 2009, 112 people were killed and 1473 were injured in collisions involving drivers who had been drinking.
In addition to being a danger on the road, drivers who choose to drink or use drugs and drive also face serious legal, financial, and social consequences. This holiday season, remember the following:
Make the right choice for everyone – don’t drive if you have been drinking or using drugs.
You do not have to be legally drunk to be charged with impaired driving.
Plan ahead for safe transportation. There are alternatives to impaired driving.
If you encounter a suspected impaired driver, record the vehicle license plate number and dial 911 anywhere in the province.
December is impaired driving awareness month on the Traffic Safety Plan Calendar, and the Alberta government is reminding Albertans of the dangerous consequences of driving impaired.
Enforcement combined with strong education and awareness strategies are a central part of the Traffic Safety Plan, which also includes community mobilization, engineering and legislative enhancements.
Alberta also has several programs in place to tackle impaired driving such as the Ignition Interlock Program; the Alberta Administrative License Suspension Program; and zero tolerance for Graduated Driver Licencing drivers.

civic_stylez

12-09-2010, 04:53 PM

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Tik-Tok

12-09-2010, 04:53 PM

Originally posted by Supa Dexta
What! They can do that?

My gods! What kind of police state have we become!

JRSC00LUDE

12-09-2010, 04:55 PM

You do not have to be legally drunk to be charged with impaired driving.

Sorry, but that is utter bullshit! I'm not for drunk driving but that sounds like complete garbage to me. What's next? You don't have to actually kill someone to be charged with murder?

"Excuse me sir, I know the law SAYS this but we decided to ignore that and charge you anyways because you seem prone to anger and could snap one day...."

:barf:

Tomaz

12-09-2010, 04:56 PM

Happens every year.

rage2

12-09-2010, 05:01 PM

Originally posted by JRSC00LUDE
Sorry, but that is utter bullshit! I'm not for drunk driving but that sounds like complete garbage to me. What's next? You don't have to actually kill someone to be charged with murder?
You'll get charged if you look drunk, and fail the field test, even if you blow under 0.08.

Honestly, if I was legally drunk (0.08 BAC) and tried to drive I wouldn't be able to get out of the parking lot.

Traffic is a nightmare when they decide to do it, they did a checkstop on Crowchild yesterday and downtown was backed up through downtown all the way to the other end of downtown.

Today, they have one up out of downtown too, but I won't post where.

Tik-Tok

12-09-2010, 05:02 PM

CMW403

12-09-2010, 05:02 PM

welp

guess it's time to start forcing the woman to drive.

EDIT:

You'll get charged if you look drunk, and fail the field test, even if you blow under 0.08. Honestly, if I was legally drunk (0.08 BAC) and tried to drive I wouldn't be able to get out of the parking lot. Traffic is a nightmare when they decide to do it, they did a checkstop on Crowchild yesterday and downtown was backed up through downtown all the way to the other end of downtown. Today, they have one up out of downtown too, but I won't post where.

Yeah I remember this last year when they did one after crowchild and stoney during rush hour. This made it kind of obvious because it was the day after the announcement during rush hour, so traffic was backed up all the way to downtown.

IMO, this kinda defeats the purpose because depending on how drunk the person is they may be able to figure out that there's a check stop up ahead because of all the extra traffic.

atgilchrist

12-09-2010, 05:22 PM

Or they'll sober up by the time they actually reach the checkstop haha.

95teetee

12-11-2010, 01:39 PM

DayGlow

12-13-2010, 10:22 AM

Originally posted by JRSC00LUDE

Sorry, but that is utter bullshit! I'm not for drunk driving but that sounds like complete garbage to me. What's next? You don't have to actually kill someone to be charged with murder?

"Excuse me sir, I know the law SAYS this but we decided to ignore that and charge you anyways because you seem prone to anger and could snap one day...."

:barf:

To charge someone with impaired driving you need the evidence that their ability to drive is impaired by drugs/alcohol. Say you observe someone weaving in out of traffic, bouncing off the curb and then rear-ending a vehicle sitting at a light.

When you speak to the driver he has all the signs of impairment, glassy eyes, droopy eyelids, slurred speech, can't stand up, strong smell of booze on his breath. So you arrest him for impaired driving. You put him on a Breathalyzer and he blows right under .08.

Does that mean you apologize and put him back in his car and let him on his merry way? No, you still charge him with the impaired driving, but the separate charge of over .08 isn't applied.

94boosted

12-13-2010, 11:50 AM

Originally posted by DayGlow

To charge someone with impaired driving you need the evidence that their ability to drive is impaired by drugs/alcohol. Say you observe someone weaving in out of traffic, bouncing off the curb and then rear-ending a vehicle sitting at a light.

When you speak to the driver he has all the signs of impairment, glassy eyes, droopy eyelids, slurred speech, can't stand up, strong smell of booze on his breath. So you arrest him for impaired driving. You put him on a Breathalyzer and he blows right under .08.

Does that mean you apologize and put him back in his car and let him on his merry way? No, you still charge him with the impaired driving, but the separate charge of over .08 isn't applied.

This is probably the best explanation I have heard for impaired driving vs. 0.08 Blood Alcohol Level.

Redlyne_mr2

12-13-2010, 11:51 AM

I love how they still think that these daytime check stops actually do anything.

CMW403

12-13-2010, 11:57 AM

Originally posted by Redlyne_mr2
I love how they still think that these daytime check stops actually do anything.

uhh, care to expand?

SJW

12-13-2010, 11:57 AM

It would make more revenue sense to make alcohol and driving 0.00

I'd fully support this to the end. Alcohol + vehicles = bad no matter how much u have in you. People push the limits anyway. Hell i've done it myself many times in the past. 4 beers, i'm ok. Meh it's been 3 hours, i'll have some more.

ercchry

12-13-2010, 11:59 AM

so it is that time of year already where i might see one checkstop in the opposite direction that i am traveling in?

seriously... this city is piss poor at cracking down on drunk drivers

SJW

12-13-2010, 12:15 PM

The real problem is that the penalties are not high enough.

Tomaz

12-13-2010, 12:17 PM

Originally posted by ercchry
so it is that time of year already where i might see one checkstop in the opposite direction that i am traveling in?

seriously... this city is piss poor at cracking down on drunk drivers

I don't know how you are so lucky. I was stopped at 3 checkstops on Friday. Starting at 3 in the afternoon. it seems to be working. :dunno:

rage2

12-13-2010, 12:27 PM

Originally posted by Redlyne_mr2
I love how they still think that these daytime check stops actually do anything.
Last year the city issued a press release for a daytime checkstop, and they charged 2 people after 3 or 4 hours. At nights they routinely get 30+. Doesn't really make sense.

I did get to go through a check stop 2 weeks ago at night, so at least they're still at it. I just wish they'd concentrate more staff on the night shifts than a daytime stop during rush hour.

kevie88

12-13-2010, 12:36 PM

In 20 years behind the wheel I've only ever driven through one checkstop.. and that was back in the mid nineties!

SJW

12-13-2010, 01:01 PM

I was waved through on my motorcycle twice a couple of summers ago.

ercchry

12-13-2010, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by Tomaz

I don't know how you are so lucky. I was stopped at 3 checkstops on Friday. Starting at 3 in the afternoon. it seems to be working. :dunno:

in 6 years of driving in calgary i have never been through one, seen two or three.... but always in the opposite direction of my travel

Supa Dexta

12-13-2010, 01:52 PM

Been thru 3, blew all 3.

...of the cops to let me off. :rofl:

88CRX

12-13-2010, 01:54 PM

I went through one in the summer on my way home from a Beyond meet. Wednesday night around 9:30-10:00 on a dead end side/residential road leading into my community. Was so randomly placed.

He asked how fast my car went :rofl: and sent me on my way.

cycosis

12-13-2010, 02:00 PM

Originally posted by Supa Dexta
Been thru 3, blew all 3.

...of the cops to let me off. :rofl:

Damn that would make me nervous as shit. Even if I hacn't ahd a single drink I still get nervous going through checkstops but I've always been told to have a good night.

adam c

12-13-2010, 02:02 PM

been through 6 blew 2

chkolny541

12-13-2010, 04:02 PM

been through likely about 6-8 checkstops in about 6 years, never had to blow, no point in even being nervous, they are usually pretty friendly and you just be honest with them and your sent on your way

shadowz

12-13-2010, 04:15 PM

Been through roughly 10-13. Once of them was horrible, they asked me to get out of my car to see all the illegal mods I had on my car. My cell was on my lap and fell under my car. I was face down on the pavement looking for it while people were driving by, looked like I was on a episode of cops :thumbsdow :thumbsdow

NightFX2

12-13-2010, 04:25 PM

I loled ^^ :rofl: :rofl:

Only seen one so far going other way.

adam c

12-13-2010, 04:38 PM

the first time i blew they made me do a walk of shame down glenmore trail then put me in the back of a cop car and read me my rights, then i blew a zero, the cop then lectured me on body mass and effects of alcohol on different people then asked if i was ok or has anything on me since i seemed nervous... go figure

bignerd

12-13-2010, 04:55 PM

I haven't driven through a checkstop(let along even see one) in about 8 or so years in this city. Not sure where they have them...

adam c

12-13-2010, 05:10 PM

Originally posted by bignerd
I haven't driven through a checkstop(let along even see one) in about 8 or so years in this city. Not sure where they have them...

Place's I've been through

Glenmore East before Deerfoot
9th Ave east around 6th street
Memorial East by the Zoo
MacLeod Trail South at the Liesure Centre
MacLeod Trail South after Cemetary Hill
Fisher Road

chkolny541

12-13-2010, 05:47 PM

ones i remember being through were

macleod and heritage going south
shawnessy blvd (by the old folks home, such a radnom place)
barlow heading west by deerfoot casino
one in downtown kinda by the drum and monkey
right where you turn on macloed when you leave coyotes (where it used to be, not sure what is it now)

thats all i can remember, never had to blow though, *knock wood*

manny18

12-13-2010, 06:59 PM

in my 7 years of driving... ive never seen/been in a checkstop..

spikerS

12-14-2010, 12:29 PM

I went through one a couple months ago, cop asked me if I had anything to drink. I responded that I was right smashed. He laughed and said you don't look it, have a good night, and we both chuckled. I stopped at tims and dropped of a box of 10 coffees for them all.

Fast forward a couple days later, I got hit at another checkstop, same place, just different cop. except the cop told me to stop being an asshole, this is a serious matter. I didn't buy him coffee.

thinmyster

12-14-2010, 12:57 PM

seen them quite a few times on 17th ave bridge crossing over crowchild

slinkie

12-14-2010, 01:29 PM

got checkstopped last night heading north right at the bottom of edmonton trail...at like 7pm :rolleyes:

J-hop

12-14-2010, 01:50 PM

Kloubek

12-14-2010, 02:01 PM

Been through only one in my time here in Calgary. They are WAAAYYY more prominent in BC - where I probably went through a dozen in only a couple of years of driving.

While I understand daytime checkstops don't do nearly as much as those at nighttime, it is important to let people know they are *never* save to drink and drive.

xxviet

12-14-2010, 02:18 PM

ive been through 3 check stops

1. Macleod trail Sw After the cemetery heading South
- i was on my motorbike, the cops stopped me and i got a ticket because my license plate wasnt visible

2. Dover ( 36'th str, and it was around 30th ave )
- nothing

3. 52nd ( Pensdale road SE ) they blocked off the whole crosswalk.
- i watched a guy pull an illegal u-turn right there in front of 5 cops and they didnt do anything

chkolny541

12-14-2010, 02:20 PM

Originally posted by spikers

Fast forward a couple days later, I got hit at another checkstop, same place, just different cop. except the cop told me to stop being an asshole, this is a serious matter. I didn't buy him coffee.

this is too funny ahahaha

whiskas

12-14-2010, 02:30 PM

Drove past 5 checkstops, never was stopped.

Sometimes it's good to be white.

Tik-Tok

12-14-2010, 02:32 PM

I haven't seen any this year, a little surprised too. Usually there's one on Glenmore, that I catch the tail end of at 2:30am when I'm on my way to work, and there's also usually one set up on Fairmount, when I'm on my way home on my evening shift.

Abeo

12-14-2010, 04:50 PM

I've seen one in the 3 years I've been here... seeing as they have the big bus setup, I expected to see it more often. In Ont, I usually stopped in 1 or 2 a year (mostly on highway on/off ramps), but never had to test.

I wouldn't mind seeing a more aggressive presence... like Kloubek said, so that people don't think twice about taking the chance.

dj_patm

12-14-2010, 05:28 PM

Zero tolerance is BULLSHIT.

Wine and Beer can all easily be enjoyed in reason and are pretty crucial parts of some staple activities such as going to a sports event or going to a wedding or anything.

Zero tolerance would be absolutly ridiculous.

J-hop

12-14-2010, 07:00 PM

ddduke

12-14-2010, 07:15 PM

Originally posted by whiskas
Drove past 5 checkstops, never was stopped.

Sometimes it's good to be white.

That's pretty funny because out of all the people I know every single one with a DUI was white.

leftwing

12-14-2010, 07:21 PM

Originally posted by dj_patm
Zero tolerance is BULLSHIT.

Wine and Beer can all easily be enjoyed in reason and are pretty crucial parts of some staple activities such as going to a sports event or going to a wedding or anything.

Zero tolerance would be absolutly ridiculous.

Totally agree. What about going out for a beer after work with the guys? Should I cab home after one drink? Fuck that. Im not paying 30 bucks for a cab at 730pm on a wednesday night after having one drink.

leftwing

12-14-2010, 07:22 PM

Originally posted by ddduke

That's pretty funny because out of all the people I know every single one with a DUI was white.

how many of your friends have DUI's hahaha

Kennyredline

12-14-2010, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by whiskas
Drove past 5 checkstops, never was stopped.

Sometimes it's good to be white.

.........sometimes...........?

Kennyredline

12-14-2010, 08:08 PM

Originally posted by leftwing

Totally agree. What about going out for a beer after work with the guys? Should I cab home after one drink? Fuck that. Im not paying 30 bucks for a cab at 730pm on a wednesday night after having one drink.

Why not? Do you know for a fact you're ok to drive after one drink, or do you just assume and tell yourself that you are?

leftwing

12-14-2010, 08:24 PM

Originally posted by Kennyredline

Why not? Do you know for a fact you're ok to drive after one drink, or do you just assume and tell yourself that you are?

im 100% sure im ok to drive....what kinda question is that? its not like im convincing myself im ok after a few rounds...its ONE drink....

hampstor

12-14-2010, 11:25 PM

Last checkstop i went thru was about 8 yrs ago. I was with my wife (gf at the time) and went thru a checkstop. Officer said, "Alberta checkstop for drinking and driving, have you been drinking?" and I heard, "Alberta checkstop for drinking and driving" to which i replied "ok...?" :rofl:

He laughed and waved me thru. Must've been cuz I was driving her 85 Tercel.

:D

NightFX2

12-14-2010, 11:44 PM

Originally posted by leftwing

im 100% sure im ok to drive....what kinda question is that? its not like im convincing myself im ok after a few rounds...its ONE drink....
Yeah right you lightweight. JK :rofl: :rofl:

gqmw

12-15-2010, 05:51 AM

Haven't seen any in the nw yet.

ercchry

12-15-2010, 08:45 AM

Originally posted by J-hop

well they already have it for people on graduated licensing!!

That way everyone is treated equal, none of this body mass bullshit and no arguing in court whether the person that blew around the limit was impaired or not.

Don't know about you but from downtown to my house is about $30, that is ridiculously cheap when you consider how much beer costs at a bar these days.

1. once i was legal to drink i was no longer on GDL

2. fuck that soccer mom mentality of everyone being equal, guess what? everyone is not equal, it is a fact of life

3. if you blew around the limit chances are you are shitfaced (source:rage2's thread on trying out a breathalyzer, no im not searching for the link). going back to not everyone is equal... if you have the money for the good lawyer then argue away... this is not a communist state, it is your right

4. if im driving and go to the pub i am not even going to spend close to $30, if i know i am fine to drive i am not spending $30 on a cab and $30 again to get my car in the morning. btw, a cab from downtown to the outskirts of town can easily surpass $50

rage2

12-17-2010, 12:05 AM

Checkstop out in full force tonight! Props CPS! :thumbsup:

ercchry

12-17-2010, 12:35 AM

Originally posted by rage2
Checkstop out in full force tonight! Props CPS! :thumbsup:

again... i saw none :rofl:

rage2

12-17-2010, 08:44 AM

I've seen quite a few this month. Maybe I go out too much... :rofl:

adam c

12-17-2010, 08:59 AM

I haven't seen any and I work in the north and live in the south

Rstar

12-17-2010, 02:56 PM

I've was never nervous until this seeming intoxicated thing.

I went through one last weekend right after I finished my only drink so I knew my breath would smell so it made me pretty damn nervous. The cop checked me out pretty close and thankfully came to the conclusion that I wasn't intoxicated.

I'd much rather see police use actual quantifiable data rather than their personal judgement which has the possibility to be total crap by being inconsistent if they are in a bad mood, dont like your face, or have a quota to fill.

swak

12-17-2010, 03:20 PM

I got stopped coming out of bowness AT 1PM! A little early??(just east of the bridge over the bow)..:thumbsdow

.. They were really efficient about it though. 3 cops, pulling 3 cars at a time...:thumbsup:

88CRX

12-17-2010, 03:46 PM

Originally posted by swak
I got stopped coming out of bowness AT 1PM! A little early??(just east of the bridge over the bow)..:thumbsdow

.. They were really efficient about it though. 3 cops, pulling 3 cars at a time...:thumbsup:

1:00pm is fairly common.... and I bet they catch lots of people after pounding back 4 or 5 five over lunch.

ercchry

12-17-2010, 04:29 PM

Originally posted by swak
I got stopped coming out of bowness AT 1PM! A little early??(just east of the bridge over the bow)..:thumbsdow

.. They were really efficient about it though. 3 cops, pulling 3 cars at a time...:thumbsup:

never too early for bowness...

back in high school we were on our way to shouldice for a football game... and i saw a old beat up pickup with about 15 empties on their dash :facepalm:

wintonyk

12-17-2010, 05:44 PM

they had the checkstop in full roll at 2pm on glenmore by chinook today. 3 cars had been caught from what i saw

swak

12-17-2010, 05:59 PM

Originally posted by ercchry

never too early for bowness...

ahahaha... Theres probably some truth to that, but still, drinking is usually the last thing on my mind. Wayyy too early to get too drunk to drive..

J-hop

12-25-2010, 05:27 PM

Originally posted by swak

ahahaha... Theres probably some truth to that, but still, drinking is usually the last thing on my mind. Wayyy too early to get too drunk to drive..

haha, yea I had to deliver a mattress to a friend of a friend in bowness a little while ago, it was about 3 o'clock on a wednesday, got to the house, couldn't find the owner anywhere, called the guys cell and he was shit faced already and said he had to go because he was about to fight someone at the bar hahaha stumbled home about 45mins later. My brother works in bowness and he says they have to kick drunks out of their install bay at least half a dozen times a week haha .

Anyone know if CPS use flashlight sniffers? I know they use them in some states as a rough check to see if you have alcohol on your breath and need to be tested.

Hope everyone is staying safe!!

master hec0

12-25-2010, 07:40 PM

Originally posted by ercchry

never too early for bowness...

back in high school we were on our way to shouldice for a football game... and i saw a old beat up pickup with about 15 empties on their dash :facepalm:

When im cleaning out cars before they get set out onto the yard at pnp I find tons of beer cans all over the passenger floor and under the driver seat. :banghead:

nismodrifter

12-25-2010, 11:37 PM

Went through one the other day around 3pm. Guy in front of me got waved through by the first officer......but as he rolled through one of the officers noticed the doods plate had expired, he radioed the officer at the end of the line up of cars and the guy was waved to pull over. Nice catch!! I never imagined they would be checking for that kind of stuff at Checkstops.