Smitty’s offers yummy reward for safe holiday-season driving

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This article was published 05/12/2022 (751 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IF police don’t find alcohol in your blood behind the wheel, they’ll help fill your stomach with pancakes.

That’s because the Winnipeg Police Service has partnered with Smitty’s Restaurants for its annual Holiday Checkstop Program.

If you’re pulled over during the program this month and are sober and following the rules of the road, officers will hand over a voucher for a free stack of pancakes at the restaurant.

Last year, the program caught 77 impaired drivers in Winnipeg.

“Winnipeg Police are encouraging motorists to always plan ahead of time on how they will get home if they intend to take part in the consumption of intoxicants of any sort,” traffic division Insp. Doug Roxburgh said in a statement Monday.

Valerie Funk, Smitty’s director of operations, said the company is proud to partner with the police. There are nine Smitty’s in Winnipeg and Steinbach participating in the program.

“By rewarding safe and sober driving, we hope to encourage people to think twice before getting behind the wheel, hoping that all families will be able to celebrate the holidays safely this season,” Funk said.