With it being the Canada Day long weekend, the Alberta RCMP are reminding people to be responsible.

In Alberta, on average one in five drivers involved in fatal collisions had been drinking before they got behind the wheel, and because of that, the RCMP are reminding everyone that the choice to drink can have serious consequences.

During the Canada Day long weekend in 2023, there were 76 people injured in motor vehicle collisions and four were fatally injured.

There were also 117 impaired drivers removed from behind the wheel by Alberta RCMP that weekend.

"It is important to remember that these laws apply to all motorized vehicles, including boats and off-highway vehicles (OHV)," explained Sgt. Darrin Turnbull, Alberta RCMP Traffic, in a media release from June 27th. "With a summer long weekend comes the opportunity to spend time enjoying OHVs while camping or boating on the lake. In any case, you should never operate a motorized vehicle if you have been drinking or using cannabis. If you suspect someone is driving impaired, call 911."

There are a few things motorists should remember prior to getting behind the wheel this weekend.

Impaired driving is not only dangerous, but also a criminal activity, and driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol impairs judgement and reaction time.

Alberta RCMP uses Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS) as a tool to detect and deter impaired driving, and anyone who refuses to provide a breath sample can be criminally charged.

Those with Graduated Driver's Licenses must follow the zero-tolerance law.

The RCMP also wants to remind everyone that impaired driving is preventable in every scenario, so they are asking people to plan ahead and either have a safe ride home or a place to spend the night that doesn't require driving to get to.

To stay up to date on traffic safety, follow the RCMP on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and X @RCMPAlberta, as well as the hashtag #SafetyforSummer.