Traffic safety and impaired driving were identified by residents as a policing priority for 2026-27. Strathcona County Enforcement Services, in partnership with the RCMP, take this priority seriously and support efforts to keep our roads safe.

If you get pulled over

Except for check stops, an officer will not pull you over just to request a breath sample. You will be pulled over for traffic violations such as:

• speeding

• careless driving

• brake lights not working, etc.

If the officer who stopped you has an approved alcohol screening device the officer must ask you for a breath sample. You should not feel embarrassed: Mandatory Alcohol Screening is a preventive measure, not an accusation.

In Strathcona County, in addition to the RCMP and Alberta Sheriffs, a portion of our Community Peace Officers (CPOs) have the required training to conduct Mandatory Alcohol Screening. This additional authority was granted to the CPOs as part of a pilot project that ran from March 2025-26.

If you refuse to provide a sample or your blood alcohol concentration is found to be over the accepted limits, the officer will issue Immediate Roadside Sanctions. 

Immediate Roadside Sanctions

Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) are penalties issued according to occurrence. The penalties include driver's license suspension, fines, mandatory training and vehicle seizures. Find the list of penalties by occurrence on the Government of Alberta website. 

If you are issued an IRS by a Peace Officer, you will receive a Notice of Administrative Penalty, which describes the length of time your car will be seized for, the length of time your license will be suspended for and the fine amount. If you are issued an IRS by an RCMP Officer, you may also receive charges under the Criminal Code of Canada. 

Reimbursement

As per Section 8 of the Saferoads Alberta Regulation when a cancellation occurs there may be a request for reimbursement of incurred seizure costs.

If the IRS is issued by a Strathcona County Community Peace Officer, requests for reimbursement must be made to a supervisor of Enforcement Services and submitted by the claimant involved in the offence. These requests can be made by calling Enforcement Services at 780-467-7741 and requesting to speak to a Supervisor to receive further instruction.

When making the request, you will be required to complete the  Enforcement Reimbursement Application (4.5 MB) with the following information:

• Contravention # (from the Notice of Administrative Penalty or Seizure Form);

• Occurrence Date;

• Summary of Incident; and

• Claimant Contact Information.

Supervisors will review the request and the information pertaining to the offence. When the review is complete the supervisor will advise the claimant of the decision on reimbursement and the process for payment.

If the IRS is issued by a member of the RCMP, please send an email to RCMP_IRS_Reversals@rcmp-grc.gc.ca with the following information: 

• Contravention # (from the Notice of Administrative Penalty or Seizure Form);

• Occurrence Date;

• Summary of Incident; and

• Claimant Contact Information.

Plan ahead: don't drink and drive

Help keep Strathcona County's roads safe. Don't drink and drive. 

Everyone can do their part to prevent impaired driving. If you drink alcohol, you have options:

• Arrange for a safe ride home

• Take a taxi or rideshare service

• Use a designated driver

• or stay the night.

To learn more about the risks of drinking and driving, visit madd.ca.

Legislation

In December 2018, the federal government authorized law enforcement to obtain an immediate roadside breath sample from any driver, without needing suspicion or cause. This clause is called Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS). You can read the legislation under Section 320.27(2) of the Criminal Code. 

About the Immediate Roadside Sanctions pilot

In March 2025, Strathcona County Enforcement Services Peace Officers were granted the authority to utilize Mandatory Alcohol Screening and issue the Immediate Roadside Sanctions that apply under the Traffic Safety Act. Nine officers completed the required training.  

The pilot concluded in March 2026 and the officers with the required training will continue to perform the duties of IRS following the authorities they have been given.