SGI is reminding residents to drive sober this Canada Day long weekend.
According to SGI, police caught 476 people driving after exceeding the legal limits of alcohol or drugs, including 206 Criminal Code charges and 270 administrative suspensions for exceeding provincial limits in May.
An impaired driving offence can result in licence suspensions, vehicle impoundments, mandatory driver education, and Safe Driver Recognition demerits.
Criminal Code impaired driving offences carry more significant penalties, like fines, jail time, and Ignition Interlock requirements upon conviction.
More seriously, impaired driving crashes are the leading cause of death on Saskatchewan roads.
In addition to SGI’s warning, Saskatchewan RCMP reiterates not to drive impaired.
Staff Sergeant Corey Niedzielski, the detachment commander of the White Butte RCMP, hosted MADD Regina’s Crashed Car Campaign event earlier late last month.
“If no safe ride is available, stay the night and drive only when sober,” he said. “Do not take a chance. Also, do not let your loved ones drive impaired”. He also shared the following stat: “In the last three weeks alone, the Saskatchewan RCMP have received 234 ‘Report Impaired Drivers’ (RID) calls. If you see a suspected impaired driver, pull over and immediately call 911 to report it.”
In 2022, 1,762 impaired driving charges and 663 roadside suspensions were issued throughout Saskatchewan. In 2023, there have already been 651 impaired driving charges and 384 roadside suspensions issued.
