Whitehorse RCMP officers charged 30 people with impaired driving over the holiday season, they said today.

Police attribute the high number of charges to numerous formal vehicle checkstops and regular patrols in December.

Officers also gave out 24-hour driving suspensions to 20 people and towed the vehicles of 10 people who were in violation of their graduated driver's licences.

Charges are also pending against three individuals after drugs were seized from their vehicle, police said.

The RCMP focused on suspected drunk drivers during the holiday season and used checkstops and targeted patrols to locate and charge suspected impaired drivers.

In December 2006, the RCMP charged just three people with impaired driving.

An RCMP spokesman said today 'targeted enforcement' of suspected impaired drivers this year resulted in the higher numbers.

He added that drunk driving remains a leading cause of death in Canada and is entirely preventable.

Whitehorse representatives of Mothers Against Drunk Driving could not be reached this morning to comment on the figures.

RCMP Traffic Services plans to conduct random checkstops on a regular basis throughout 2008.

Police are thanking the general public who reported suspicious vehicle and suspected drunk drivers and are reminding motorists not to drink and drive at any time of the year.