Be safe this holiday season: Bow Island/Foremost RCMP Sgt. Bailey

Justin Seward
Commentator/Courier

The Christmas season is in full swing for another year and Commentator spoke to Bow Island/Foremost RCMP Sgt. Neil Bailey about what the police are looking for over the holidays.
December is impaired driving month on the Alberta Traffic Safety Calendar, which means the RCMP will be having an increase in check stops. Bow Island/Foremost RCMP began check stops on Dec. 1 where a 120 vehicles were pulled over and one person blew over the legal limit.
“I’ve been posted to seven detachments in my career and always around the Christmas season, there’s an increase in drinking and driving,” said Bailey.
“Simply because of Christmas parties, (and) different functions happening at bars, taverns and just people going over to peoples houses for Christmas cheer.”
“The bottom line is we’re trying to keep people safe.”
Southern Alberta can also have unpredictable weather at this time of year.
“We don’t know what we’re going to get in southern Alberta,” said Bailey.
“When you’re going out on the road, prepare. Have warm gear with you in the event you’re the unfortunate victim of going into the ditch and your prepared to be there for awhile. Look at the weather. Listen to the advice. If they’re saying on the radio if travel is not recommended, unless it’s an emergency or something very important to go to, try and stay home.”
With the holiday season, the police try to be proactive and be out in the community.
“We try to increase by being a police presence,” he said.
“If you’re out and people see you, they’re going to change their behavior.”

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