Despite tougher new laws for impaired driving, Saskatchewan is still wracking up more than its fair share of charges.
SGI’s December traffic blitz targeted drunk drivers. During the month law enforcement agencies charged 300 motorists with criminal charges including driving with greater than .08 blood alcohol content (BAC), impaired driving or refusing a breath test, all which carry the same penalties under the law.
In addition, eight people received citations for low BAC offences (drivers with a BAC ranging from .04 to .08).
According to the latest Statistics Canada numbers released in January 2013 for the year 2011 showed Saskatchewan drivers were more than twice as likely to get behind the wheel impaired than the national average.
Kelly Brinkworth, a spokesperson for SGI, said although the numbers are down slightly from last year, they are still unacceptably high.
“It’s so tragic because impaired driving is something that is so easily preventable,” she said. “It just takes some planning in advance. Just think about it and make a plan before you go out.”
Saskatchewan introduced tougher impaired driving laws in 2014, including longer licence suspensions, immediate roadside vehicle impoundments, and mandatory ignition interlock for convicted impaired drivers. There is now also zero drug and alcohol tolerance for drivers under 19 years of age, and for all drivers in the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program and Motorcycle GDL program.
Even with these improvements, in its 2015 annual report, MADD Canada gave the Province a D- grade for legislation. On a 25-point scale, Saskatchewan scored a 13, or 52 per cent, just slightly worse than the national average of 13.5. Manitoba, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Quebec received failing grades for their legislation, but those province’s drivers are still less likely to get behind the wheel after imbibing.
Police also issued 3,124 tickets in December for speeding and/or aggressive driving, 145 tickets for distracted driving (95 for cellphone use) and 229 for not wearing or improperly using seat belts.
“SGI reminds motorists to always plan a safe ride home,” a press release stated. “Choose a designated driver, call a cab or designated driving service, take the bus, or spend the night.
Use SGI’s free Safe Ride app to help keep track of your safe ride options.”
