Detecting impaired motorists and sharing the dangers of drinking and drugged driving

"If you drive impaired, you will be caught" - Province of Alberta & police services

How does the Checkstop Program work?
Simple. Throughout the year, police set up check points on Alberta's roads to stop drivers and check for signs of impairment. The locations change often and drivers or motorcyclists can be stopped at random. If police believe that a driver is impaired by drugs or alcohol, they can require the driver to take a roadside breath test or a Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST).

Typically used to assess possible impairment by drugs, an SFST checks for divided attention impairment by examining the driver's eyes, his/her walking ability, and balance. Should this test suggest impairment, a further Drug Recognition Evaluation and blood sample may be administered to confirm impairment and the presence of drugs. A roadside breath test gives officers a measure of the drivers' blood alcohol level. If impairment is proven for drugs, alcohol or their combination, charges can be laid and licence suspended. If drivers refuse to take a breath test or the SFST, charges can be laid and their licence can be suspended.

Why?
Detecting and convicting impaired drivers makes our roads safer. Checkstop programs also aim to educate drivers on the dangers of drinking and drug-impaired driving and help us make better driving decisions.