Alberta RCMP gear up for 1st long weekend with looser liquor laws

You'll be able to drink at your provincial campground this May long weekend in Alberta, but that's no excuse to drink on the road or drive under the influence.

Alberta RCMP, Sheriffs and peace officersare stepping up enforcement ahead of what they expect to be a busy Victoria Day long weekend, despite the soggy weather forecast.

Officers were out on the roads, urging drivers tobe safeduring aThursday night checkstopoperation near Cochrane.

• New rules mean every driver must provide breath sample at Calgary checkstops

"Don't drink and drive.Drive sober, don't allow yourself to drive while distracted," said RCMP Sgt. Darrin Turnbull.

"You've got to take care of yourself, your friendsand your family. Make sure you make good decisions," he said."Once you start drinking, you don't make good decisions."

Turnbull said four people died last year over the long weekend two in highwaycollisions and two in off-highway vehicle incidents.

"What we're hoping is at the end of the long weekend, next week, we can look back on it and say, 'Nobody died.'"

Sid Giroux from Okotoks was caught in his first mandatory alcohol screening at aThursday night checkstop, and he was surprised at how quickly things went.

He said he was glad to see officials out spreading the message.

"There's still an issue, even though it's all over the place that you shouldn't drink and drive. But I still think there's people that get in their vehicles when they probably shouldn't be, so yeah, it's great," Giroux said.

Fish and Wildlife officials will also be out patrolling the backcountry to ensure off-highway vehicles aren't quadding up streams or driving through restricted areas.