The first long weekend after winter melts away is always a bit of a doozy as people move trailers, campers, boats and other pleasure vehicles up to campsites, or simply just have their first summer camp out, something the RCMP are aware of and thus, increase patrols.
Other than a single impaired charge, most people behaved well on the roads, if a bit fast at times, says RCMP Const. Bill Lewadniuk.
The only impaired charge of the weekend came before the weekend truly got under way, after RCMP received a call around 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 16, about a driver driving on the wrong side of the road.
When Lewadniuk pulled her over near Dairy Queen, she was found to have more than two-and-a-half times the legal blood alcohol limit, and her vehicle was towed and licence suspended.
Increased patrols in Rochon Sands turned up nothing but well-behaving campers and cottagers, glad to have the weekend to enjoy the warmer weather, Lewadniuk noted.
However, people continue to drive too fast on the roads, he warned. The majority of the tickets handed out this past weekend were for speeding, he said – even as he checked the unfiled tickets from the day before, which were all speeding except for one, which was a burned-out tail light.
Other issues police dealt with over the weekend were mischiefs to vehicles, and police urge motorists to make sure they don’t leave valuables in their vehicles or in plain sight if they must, and to always lock their vehicle doors.