As the Christmas season settles in, plans are being made for office parties, hangouts, and family gatherings.

As people celebrate the holidays, impairment substances such as alcohol or marijuana may be involved.

SGI’s Traffic Safety Spotlight for December is focused on impaired driving and reminding everyone to plan a safe ride home.

“What we want people to do as they are making their holiday plans is to plan for a safe ride home. No matter where you’re spending your holidays or who you’re spending it with, the best present you can give anyone is your presence,” says SGI Spokesperson, Tyler McMurchy.

SGI reminds residents that there are many safe alternatives to driving impaired like taking a cab, a rideshare, a designated driving service, Operation Red Nose, or public transit.

Since gatherings and parties are more prevalent during the holiday season, the RCMP and local police services will be increasing enforcement across the province.

“You can expect to see a lot of check stops throughout Saskatchewan, wherever you live and it could be any day of the week,” says McMurchy.

Any driver stopped by police may be asked to provide a quick breath test. If a driver is asked for a breath test, they are required by law to comply. There will be legal consequences if a person refuses to take a test.

In Saskatchewan, there is zero tolerance for drug impairment driving.

If a driver is found to be under the influence of drugs it can lead to vehicle impoundments, license suspension, fines, and criminal charges. If the charges are not criminal they can still worsen depending on the person’s situation like if they’re a learner or novice driver, under the age of 22 years old, or a repeat offender.

As for alcohol, a person can face fines but also can have their license suspended, and their vehicle impounded, and once someone reaches the alcohol level of .08 on a breathalyzer test, it’ll lead to criminal charges.