This year, the Jasper RCMP has arrested almost double the number of drunk drivers as it did in 2013.
According to Scott Kirychuk of the Jasper RCMP, the significant spike in numbers is likely due to a combination of factors.
“Last year we weren’t quite fully staffed all year; this year we are, and we’ve really been stepping up our enforcement with drinking and driving,” he said in an interview last month.
And with an increase in enforcement leading to more arrests, Kirychuk reminded Jasperites that if they are pulled over while intoxicated, there’s no escaping the law.
“If we catch somebody who’s drinking and driving, it doesn’t matter how much they beg, how much they plead—if they’re over the legal limit, they’re going to be charged with a criminal code offense.
“It’s one of the few things in the RCMP we have absolutely no discretion with. We’re not allowed to let people off.”
And as far as Kirychuk is concerned, that is a good thing. He didn’t mince words when talking about the drinking and driving problem that exists in Jasper.
Since Jasper is such a small town, if you live in the townsite there’s no reason not to walk home. Even in the extreme cold, Kirychuk said, a cab ride is only a few bucks.
“It is idiotic that we are pulling people over for impaired driving in Jasper. It makes no sense to me at all.
“There is no excuse for drinking and driving, and I myself just think it’s a matter of people not using their heads, and not planning a way to get home, or being lazy ... and driving their car home when it would just be a lot easier for them to leave their car home to begin with.”
Kirychuk said that even if people do take their cars to a party, they can feel safe leaving them parked downtown, because the RCMP patrols all night, and officers keep an eye on vehicles as much as they can.
So, taking your car home to avoid a ticket also isn’t a legitimate excuse. The RCMP are reasonable people, and they won’t punish someone for making smart decisions.
“If somebody’s being smart enough to find another way home when they’re intoxicated, we won’t be giving them a ticket for leaving their car too long.”
Trevor Nichols
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