The Edmonton Police Service released its annual Checkstop statistics Monday afternoon, and while the number of impaired driving arrests are down, so too are the number of Checkstops.
EPS members made 200 impaired driving arrests in 2013, compared to 289 impaired driving arrests in 2012 – there were 34 Checkstop operations in 2013, compared to 43 in 2012.
The number of Checkstops and impaired driving arrests are also down from the previous 5-year average of 51 operations and 292 arrests.
At a press conference, police said one driver had been charged 17 times prior to being arrested, and another man blew an incredibly high alcohol reading.
"I actually saw the highest reading I'd ever seen in my 9 year career in November, which was a person who provided two samples of over 400 milligrams percent, and was standing and walking and talking while doing it. It was quite amazing," said EPS Const. Robert Davis. "That's someone who gets a lot of practice."
The number of impaired driving arrests as a result of the Curb the Danger program also decreased 5% from the previous year.
In the meantime, police are encouraging the public to report impaired drivers to Curb the Danger by calling 911.
With files from David Ewasuk
