Stampede has begun and the High River RCMP say they're ready for the fall out.

Sergeant Ryan Dlin with the High River RCMP Detachment says officers in our area, don't usually see the mischief that the Calgary Stampede tends to bring out in people in Calgary, but they do see an increase in drinking and driving.

"The problem that we sometimes see is that increase in drinking and driving." Dlin says "Folks tend to go to the Stampede and have a really good time, maybe too good of a time and then realize they have no way back to High River because it's not like you can jump onto the C-Train. So they take the risk and decide to drive their vehicles."

Dlin says they will have units patrolling both the highways and the back roads in anticipation.

He also explains that keeping roads safe, is a community effort.

"We encourage people who are traveling along and see someone who isn't driving normally to give us a call."

He says it's never a bother, and that's what the traffic units and 9-1-1 systems are there for.

Along with Stampede comes increased tourism which tends to bring more people to our neck of the woods.

Dlin says motorists might see an increase in road traffic for the next week or so.

"Our roads, in my opinion were built for the road volume 20 years ago, not our current so of course they tend to get pretty packed up." Dlin explains "High River is a great spot for tourists due to our western heritage and I think a lot of people tend to travel in this direction to see the beautiful country side."

With that extra traffic Dlin says motorists should leave extra time, and ensure they're slowing down and moving over for emergency vehicles and tow trucks.

 

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