Impaired driving collisions are the number one cause of fatalities on Saskatchewan roads.
For the final month of 2021, SGI will be focusing on impaired driving as apart of their traffic spotlight
SGI’s Tyler McMurchy says the numbers are improving but more work needs to be done. “We have seen significant improvements over the past decade in the number of collisions, injuries and fatalities that have resulted from impaired driving, it’s been nearly cut in half since 2010 but it’s still too high.” McMurchy added that impaired related collisions are the leading cause of fatalities on Saskatchewan roads.
There are severe consequences for those who caught impaired driving. McMurchy noted that if someone is charged with criminal code impaired driving offence, their vehicle is impounded for 30 days at minimum accompanied with a suspended licence along with the dealing with the process of that charge which includes court and lawyer fees along with fines and possible jail time.
Policing units across Saskatchewan will also be on the lookout during the holiday season with their holiday checkstops.
Sergeant Barbar from the Saskatoon Police Service says that police around the province will have an increased presence during the holiday season. “We do increase the volume of them during the holidays and that’s the focus of our participation.” Barbar added “They ll be on main arteries, they will also be on more residential type streets because impaired drivers are everywhere and anytime.”
Making a plan ahead is something that SGI does recommend, some options include having a designated driver in your group, taking a cab or a rideshare, using public transit or spending the night.
