As the festive season approaches, RCMP will be increasing their check stops and patrols looking for impaired drivers.

Sargent Dan Archibald with the Shaunavon RCMP says winter driving conditions, stress, increased traffic, and drugs and alcohol greatly affect the numbers of impaired drivers on the roads.

He adds that, with cannabis now legal across the country, that does not change the impaired driving regulations. He says, "Ya, that's something that we've always done. Maybe across the country we may see an increase in that. Ya know, you have to anticipate it with the legalization. But nothing has really changed, as you never could drive impaired by a drug. So, that's something we will definitely be aware of, and we'll be monitoring that as well."

If you are charged with impaired driving, there is an automatic inpoundment of your vehicle, an automatic suspension of your license, and court proceedings for additional punishment.