A joint traffic enforcement blitz led by Fort Smith and NWT Traffic Services has led to charges for a 47-year-old man.

The man - not named in a news release issued by Mounties on Friday - was arrested as part of National Road Safety Week and Operation Gingerbread, operations billed by police as "enhanced traffic enforcement."

During "proactive" traffic stops conducted in Fort Smith on Thursday around 1 p.m., Mounties observed a snowmobile traveling at a high rate of speed through a school zone, states the news release.

The male driver provided a breath sample following a traffic stop. Police say he blew almost three times over the legal limit of a blood-alcohol concentration of .08.

The man faces two impaired driving-related charges. He's due in court in Fort Smith on March 11.

Mounties are reminding residents of the dangers associated with impaired driving - the leading cause of criminal death in Canada.

SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½œImpaired driving is entirely preventable," states Sgt. Jesse Gilbert of Fort Smith .

"We say over and over, donSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™t drive impaired.  And in the North, this means operation of any vehicle, including all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.  In this incident, the gravity of the situation was increased by the man driving at high rate of speed in a school zone, putting public and specifically children, potentially at risk," stated Gilbert.

Operation Gingerbread will continue until News Year's Day.