Enhancing road safety in Strathcona County: Peace Officers pilot Mandatory Alcohol Screening

Starting on March 10, you may be asked to provide a breath sample when pulled over by a Strathcona County Community Peace Officer.

As part of a pilot project, Strathcona County Enforcement Services will begin using Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS), a tool used by various Canadian law enforcement agencies since 2018, to address impaired driving and keep our roads safe.

MAS enables Community Peace Officers to immediately assess alcohol impairment by conducting roadside screenings and issue any immediate roadside sanctions that apply under the Traffic Safety Act. By expanding Peace Officers' authority, Strathcona County is taking significant steps to combat impaired driving. These efforts will support safer roads and communities, prevent potential accidents and reduce demand on RCMP resources.

Previously, Peace Officers were required to request RCMP support during traffic stops if they suspected alcohol impairment.

"Outside of check stops, drivers will not be pulled over for the sole purpose of completing mandatory alcohol screening," said Inspector Vito DiSciglio, manager of Enforcement Services. "A breath sample will only be requested once a driver is pulled into an Alberta check stop or pulled over for other traffic violations such as speeding or distracted driving. This is one enforcement strategy used to ensure road safety."

Drivers shouldn’t feel embarrassed if asked to provide a breath sample. MAS is a preventive measure, not an accusation. Screening everyone eliminates perceived or potential bias. Driver cooperation helps protect lives and prevent tragedies.

According to the Alberta RCMP, on average in Alberta, one in five drivers involved in fatal collisions have been drinking prior to the collision.

Before getting behind the wheel, drivers should remember:

• impaired driving is dangerous and illegal,
• driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol impairs your judgment and reaction time,
• MAS is a tool used by Alberta law enforcement to deter and detect impaired driving; drivers who refuse to provide a breath sample can be charged, and
• commercial vehicle operators and individuals with a graduated driver's license must abide by the zero-tolerance law (Government of Alberta, 2021).

If a driver's blood alcohol concentration is found to be over the accepted limits in Alberta, sanctions are issued. Driver's license suspensions range from 3 to 90 days with vehicle seizures, escalating fines, remedial education and more. If a driver refuses to provide a sample, it will be treated as a failure and the driver will be issued the corresponding sanction.

Impaired driving is always preventable. Plan ahead with a safe ride home, taxi or rideshare service, use a designated driver, or stay the night.

The pilot will last one year. A mid-point evaluation will take place in September 2025.

For more information about the pilot initiative, visit strathcona.ca/ImpairedDriving.

For more information about impaired driving laws in Alberta, visit alberta.ca/ImpairedDriving.

-30-