Last month, we highlighted police officers from the Whitehorse RCMP detachment recognized for their efforts to reduce impaired driving through enforcement. (Link to news release.) Today, we highlight the efforts in the communities on our vast Yukon roads. In addition to the two Whitehorse RCMP officers previously named, four police officers across Yukon Territory were recipients of this year's RIDE (Recognizing Impaired Driving Enforcement) Award from MADD Canada.
The RIDE Award is given annually to police officers in the Yukon who take proactive steps towards making the Territory's roads safer through enforcement of and education about impaired driving laws. Police officers who receive the RIDE Award engage in a significant number of investigations leading to impaired driving charges and 24-hour license suspensions, and participate in check stops to educate the public on road safety and impaired driving enforcement.
The following police officers received the RIDE award for 2021:
- Cpl. Natasha Dunmall, Yukon RCMP Traffic Services
- Cst. Nick Arthur, Watson Lake RCMP
- Cst. Dave MacNeil, Dawson City RCMP
- Cst. Eric Parent, Yukon RCMP Traffic Services
Though the official awards ceremony was cancelled due to the Yukon's COVID-19 state of emergency, the enforcement and education work done by these police officers from communities across the Territory deserves to be noted.
"Road safety is one of the priorities for police here in the Yukon," says Insp. Rob Nason, District Operations Officer for Yukon RCMP. "These officers have shown their commitment to making our communities and rural roads safer by removing impaired drivers from the roads we share."
MADD Canada notes that, in 2019, an average of 238 charges and short-term suspensions were laid daily related to impaired driving enforcement in Canada. Jacquie Van Marck, President of MADD Whitehorse, recommends that anyone who plans to use alcohol or cannabis should organize in advance to ensure they are safe on the roads, regardless of where they are in the Territory.
"We all have the opportunity to make safe choices and to choose powerfully. If you plan to indulge, plan to get home safe. This can included planning with friends or family to have a safe and sober ride with a designated driver. Please make the right choice," says Van Marck.
"There is no excuse or justification for impaired driving in small communities and rural areas," says Insp. Nason. "RCMP officers across the Yukon continue to enforce impaired driving laws year-round, because collisions are preventable."