Impaired drivers are more likely to be caught: report

The May Traffic Safety Spotlight results from SGI show that now, more than ever, impaired drivers are more likely to be caught.

Last month, Saskatchewan police reported 404 impaired driving offences, including 352 criminal code charges. This tells us two things.

1. Police remain very focused on catching them.
2. Some people still need to do a much better job of planning a safe ride home.

SGI is cautiously optimistic that Saskatchewan’s impaired driving problem is starting to get better – 2017 saw the lowest number deaths and injuries from collisions involving alcohol or drugs since we began keeping track in 1988. But impaired driving is still the leading cause death on Saskatchewan roads.

Unfortunately, May’s results show not everyone has gotten the message.

Now, they’ll learn about Saskatchewan’s tough consequences for impaired drivers, including vehicle seizures, licence suspensions, costly demerit points, mandatory DWI courses, ignition interlock requirements, fines, possible jail time and a criminal record.

During May, police also issued tickets for other traffic infractions including:

• 544 distracted driving offences (including 447 for cellphone use);
• 6,087 tickets for speeding or aggressive driving; and
• 445 offences regarding seatbelts/child car seats. In Saskatchewan, it’s currently illegal and will continue to be illegal to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, even once marijuana use becomes legal in Canada later this year.

Remember, in Saskatchewan it’s illegal to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, even once marijuana use becomes legal in Canada later this year.

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