Winnipeg deploys additional officers to address drug-impaired driving

Winnipeg police will assign more specially trained officers to conduct random traffic stops as part of an annual drug-impaired-driving campaign running until March 1; last year 97 drivers tested positive for cannabis during that campaign.

Winnipeg police say they will deploy more officers in the coming weeks to look for drivers who may be under the influence of cannabis and other drugs. The action is part of the annual drug-impaired-driving enforcement campaign run in partnership with Manitoba Public Insurance. Officers with special training will be assigned to conduct random traffic stops on drivers acting suspiciously. The campaign is scheduled to run until March 1. Key details: - The campaign is run in partnership with Manitoba Public Insurance and will continue through March 1. - Officers with special training will perform random traffic stops on drivers reported as acting suspiciously. - During last year’s campaign police conducted 302 traffic stops and 97 drivers tested positive for cannabis; in 2024 there were 243 stops and 64 positive tests. - Police say alcohol remains the leading cause of impaired driving, and cannabis was involved in about 20 per cent of impaired driving incidents last year. Summary: The increased deployments are described as a continuation of prior years’ enforcement to address suspected drug-impaired driving. The campaign will run until March 1, and police have not disclosed exact numbers or locations of additional officers being assigned.