The Estevan Police Service conducted checkstops over the weekend in hopes of discouraging those from driving impaired. 

"They went very well on both days," explained Deputy Police Chief, Murray Cowan. "We are very happy and pleased to report that no impaired drivers were picked up at that time on either night."

"There were two road side screening tests done on each night and both drivers passed. There were some traffic infractions that took place on both nights we're proud to say that only one ticket was issued on Saturday and we did issue four on Friday. But they were just driving infractions, a lot better to see that than impaired driving."

On Friday the EPS stopped 204 vehicles and 278 vehicles went through the checkstops on Saturday.

"They were in various areas around the city including the 200 block of 4th Street, 13th Avenue and King Street, the 1200 block of 4th Street, and just some roaming patrols they did as well."

He credits the success of the program to how prominent it is.

"One of the things that we really focused on, and we're working on with our other partners including SGI, is we're getting the message out. High visibility checkstops do that by, as I call it, showing the colours. People see us out there. The idea is one, do traffic enforcement but second of all, be proactive at the same time."

"When people see us out there and they see the road is blocked and people have no choice but to drive through there, it gets the word out. It sends that message that we're doing the enforcement and people tend to be more careful, not just their driving actions. People know that they can't drink and drive and they shouldn't drink and drive and if you do, sooner or later you will get caught."

Cowan did note that the increased publicity can also lead to drivers thinking that they can avoid the checkstops. 

"There is always that factor that plays into it and we strategically set up these checkstops in such a way that it prevents people from, for the most part, turning off. There's always an alley or an avenue that if they saw it, they could turn down but we usually have that covered off."

He added that there is also at least one car available to go after any vehicle that appears to be purposely avoiding the checkstop.

"If we see a vehicle turn off and it looks suspicious, we're ready to deal with that."

"Even though there are checkstops going on, there's still vehicles patrolling the city and doing the same thing, looking for impaired driving as well as other things."