Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, July 9, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - RCMP laid more than 20 charges for traffic act offences during a check stop on Highway 4 the weekend of June 27 to 28.

Motorists were charged for a variety of traffic act offences, such as not wearing a seatbelt, not carrying a driver's licence, and not having a valid driver's licence, vehicle registration or insurance, according to Const. Roxanne Dreilich.

The two-day check stop was conducted by the Yellowknife RCMP detachment, Yellowknife RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, Municipal Enforcement Division and Resources Wildlife and Economic Development enforcement officers.

In total, 22 tickets were issued for traffic violations and one criminal charge resulted from the check stop. The driver charged under the criminal code was not impaired, but was under a court order not to drive.

Five individuals had their vehicles towed.

"One (vehicle) was towed based on a 24-hour suspension, one was the criminal code charge person and three were towed because of invalid insurance and registration," said Dreilich.

She said the number of people charged was not alarming, but police would like to remind people to practice safe driving techniques and always wear a seatbelt.

Dreilich added Yellowknifers can expect more check stops throughout the summer, particularly if there are major events happening in the city.