Jorge Maria
Pontiac August 11, 2021
Sûreté du Québec (SQ) reported several arrests during the two-week construction holiday and continued to make headway cracking down on dangerous boating during Ontario’s August long weekend.
During the long weekend, Operation Zero Alcohol targeted impaired driving in Outaouais waterways.
While it is not illegal to consume alcohol while boating, it is illegal to drive a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
During the operation of 190 boats were intercepted, resulting in 10 arrests for impaired driving.
Alcohol consumption accounts for over 40 per cent of all boating incidents, the statement said.
During the long construction holiday, from July 16 to Aug. 8, the SQ held numerous police operations throughout the province. A total of 19,983 tickets were issued to drivers violating Quebec road laws. Specifically, 11,854 speeding tickets were issued and an additional 1,168 stopped at road checkpoints for impaired driving; of those 315 were arrested for impaired driving.
The increased traffic during the construction holiday also leads to increased collisions with 532 reported. Eleven of those were fatal.
With summer holidays continuing for many across the province, the SQ advised the public to remain vigilant and stay safe.
