Manitoba checkstop program to begin in December [Video]

Every driver pulled over in Winnipeg as part of the police’s annual festive season checkstop program will have to provide a breath sample.

The changes to the program were announced by Manitoba RCMP and the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) at a news conference at the service’s headquarters Tuesday.

According to the police forces, the program will run throughout December, targeting impaired drivers and promoting road safety.

“We want to remind everybody—if you drink or use cannabis, please plan ahead for a ride home. You can avoid criminal charges and most importantly, will save lives,” said Const. Dani McKinnon with the Winnipeg Police Service.

Impaired driving remains a leading criminal cause of death in Canada, police say.

According to Manitoba RCMP, there have been 70 people killed on roadways in its jurisdictions so far this year, and they don’t want to see that number rise any higher.

The Winnipeg Police Service’s …