Iqaluit (Dec 15/03) - It was a busy weekend for RCMP in Iqaluit, who were on the streets looking for drunk drivers.

Between Dec. 5 and 7, police checked close to 200 vehicles, charged three people with impaired driving and handed out two 24-hour suspensions.

Const. Chris Coles, RCMP media liaison, said the numbers are low but they are aiming for zero drunk drivers on the roads.

"Three impaired drivers is still three too many," he said. "The good news is we probably prevented three accidents over the weekend."

Coles said one likely reason for the low numbers is that police are more visible on the roads.

"We went to the bars and announced we were going to be out over the weekend," he said. "We would rather deter people that way than charge them with impaired driving."

"People should realize that we are going to be out checking drivers," he added.

Although they only laid a few charges, Cole said many of those stopped had been drinking.

"Your ability to drive is impaired after your first drink," he said.

"We want to see people get to their parties safely and get home safely."