'Tis the season to still not drink and drive.

Alberta RCMP have put out a friendly reminder about the importance of roadway safety.

With the holidays sneaking up on us, the RCMP is reminding people to not drive if they partook in a little too much holiday cheer.

Saturday December 2 is National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day, and officers will be conducting check stops across Alberta. 

In a statement from the Alberta RCMP, Sgt. Darrin Turnbull says that 25 per cent of fatal collisions in Alberta were alcohol and drugs related.

"This December, and always, remember to enjoy the holidays responsibly. If you are attending a party, make sure you have a sober ride home, or a safe place to spend the night... Last year, in Alberta RCMP jurisdictions, we responded to 233 fatal collisions, of which approximately 25% involved alcohol or drugs. Alberta RCMP also removed 7,573 impaired drivers from Alberta roadways, that’s the equivalent of more than 20 impaired drivers per day," Turnbull explains.

Since 2018, the RCMP have had Mandatory Alcohol Screening, so expect to breathe into a breathalyzer if you are pulled over at a check stop.

The RCMP wants to remind everyone that impaired driving is always preventable. 

There are many options at the end of the night that don't involve driving under the influence.

In response to Canada's Online News Act and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) removing access to local news from their platforms, HighRiverOnline and OkotoksOnline encourage you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the HighRiverOnline or OkotoksOnline app.