The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Kelly Carrington Staff writer Flin Flonners are getting behind the wheel while impaired more and more. Three impaired drivers were charged over the holidays despite services like Operation Red Nose. This month, the RCMP have made one charge for impaired driving. Flin Flon RCMP Staff Sgt. Wayne Foster says the numbers are high. 'I have no idea why the (numbers are so high),' said Flin Flon RCMP Staff Sgt. Wayne Foster. 'Flin Flon is a town that has readily available cabs, and you can walk anywhere in town.' From April 1, 2010 to April 1, 2011, the RCMP charged a total of 42 impaired drivers in the Flin Flon area. From April 1, 2011 until today, the RCMP have already charged 43 drivers. 'Every year we seem to be charging more and more,' said Staff Sgt. Foster. 'Focus' 'As a detachment, we've put a lot of focus on the last couple of years and tried to decrease impaired driving by increasing enforcement.' Check stops throughout the community are one way the Flin Flon RCMP detachment is trying to decrease the numbers of impaired drivers. 'Check stops are only one avenue of enforcement,' he said. Aside from the roadside checks, the officers are trained to observe drivers while behind the wheel. 'We catch a lot (of impaired drivers) with roving patrols,' Staff Sgt. Foster said. Cautious During the holidays, Staff Sgt. Foster says drivers are cautious of the check stops and the roving patrol cars. 'But once they feel (the patrols) are stopped, they are out on the road again.' Last year, January was the busiest month for the Flin Flon RCMP. 'We're still out there on the road checking the vehicles,' Staff Sgt. Foster said. An important issue in the area, the RCMP have a variety of ways to educate the public, but despite the education in the schools, the community awareness and even the support of media outlets, the impaired driving continues in Flin Flon. 'Impaired driving remains a (problem),' said Staff Sgt. Foster. See 'RCMP...' on pg 7 Continued from pg. 1 The holiday season may be over, but Staff Sgt. Foster says the RCMP will continue to be on patrol. 'If you're going to take the chance and drive while impaired, there is going to be a good chance you'll see us,' he said. Two members of the Northern Highway Patrol Unit have been in the Flin Flon area along with another in Cranberry Portage. 'They are active in catching impaired drivers,' said Staff Sgt. Foster. Giving credit to the unit, he says that could be the increase in catching impaired drivers _ that there are more officers on patrol. 'We're on track to charge 25 per cent more drivers than we did last year,' said Staff Sgt. Foster. Border Town Across the border, the Creighton RCMP charged two individuals with impaired driving throughout the month of December, with another driver charged in November.
