The territory's police force has called a halt to anything that would take its officers off the streets and highways this weekend, and is focusing all its efforts on preventing accidents.

"We're putting aside paperwork, training, office duties, and making sure we're all of the road for these four days,” Cpl. Shawn Pollard, head of the RCMP's traffic division, said Thursday.

"This special weekend is a police initiative designed to remind people that an essential part of the enforcement job is to save lives and reduce injuries on our roadways,” police said in a press release this week.

"Educating the public in safe driving practices is a priority. The focus will be on behaviours that put drivers, passengers and other road users most at risk: impaired driving, seatbelt use, and all aspects related to aggressive driving.

"All enforcement agencies across the country have been invited to participate.”

Police forces across the country have been co-operating in Operation Impact for at least 18 years, said Pollard, a 20-year veteran of the force.

"It's always been positive,” he said of public reaction to the enforcement push. "As much as people hate getting the traffic ticket, they love knowing we're out there keeping the roads safe on a weekend when accidents tend to rise.”

At least 30 Yukon RCMP officers will be joined by auxiliary constables and city bylaw officers in running check stops and making traffic enforcement a priority on their beats.

"The auxiliary constables are a huge help,” Pollard said of the civilian employees who are trained to provide back-up for regular officers.

"They help traffic immensely because they are a second body with us. You don't always need a second investigator (at the check stops), but you need a second body out there.”

This focus on traffic in necessary, Pollard said, because "sadly, it's all enforcement-driven.

"If there's no enforcement, driving goes downhill and and accidents go up. It's human nature. If no one's slapping your hand when you go in the cookie jar, you'll keep going back.”

Police said this initiative has been strategically chosen, as it is a significant long weekend. More people are travelling and traffic crashes are more frequent.

Here in the Yukon, there have been three deaths and 78 serious injuries over the last year related to vehicle collisions.

"These are just numbers, but they represent moms, dads, sisters, brothers, loved ones, co-workers and neighbours,” RCMP spokesman Sgt. Don Rogers said in a press release.

"If we can save one life or injury this weekend, then the publicity and the effort is worth it.”

Pollard added: "The death, pain and broken hearts from impaired and/or aggressive driving can be prevented.”