(file photo/RCMP)

By paNOW Staff

Traffic blitz

RCMP traffic service checks over 500 vehicles in central and northern Sask in less than a week

Jan 22, 2026 | 3:51 PM

Over 500 drivers in north and central Saskatchewan were pulled over by RCMP officers from Melfort and Prince Albert in mid-January, resulting in multiple tickets and charges being laid.

From January 16 to 18, Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan officers patrolled and stopped vehicles spanning from Melfort to La Ronge and surrounding areas.

They pulled over 80 vehicles and administered mandatory alcohol screening tests on the drivers, resulting in 10 roadside suspensions because drivers had recently consumed alcohol or drugs. Four drivers were given Criminal Code charges, 16 vehicles were impounded and an ATV.

Another 71 tickets and 111 warnings were issued.

“These numbers represent only a snapshot of the work our CTSS teams – alongside detachments across Saskatchewan – do every day to keep our roads safe,” said Insp. Lee Knelsen, Operations Officer of Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services in a news release.

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“Every vehicle we stop gives officers an opportunity to prevent a serious incident, such as identifying a potential impaired driver. As such, we want to thank the public and our partner agencies for their ongoing support as we work to get everyone to their destination safely.”

Further west, officers from Saskatoon and Maidstone held a similar blitz between January 14 and 18m but targeting 430 drivers in Lloydminster, Maidstone, Onion Lake, Turtleford, Cut Knive and Battlefords.

Along with a check stop, officers patrolled the communities and surround areas looking for safety concerns on the roads.

They issued 31 road side suspensions for impaired driving, 302 tickets and 311 warnings.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com