SGI’s report on its monthly traffic safety blitz for May is not good news. Despite unprecedented public awareness campaigns on the dangers of impaired driving, an alarming number of people continue to get behind the wheel drunk.
Over the month, police laid 125 criminal code charges for impaired driving or refusing to take a breath test.
In addition, three new drivers received citations for zero blood alcohol content (BAC) offences and three experienced drivers were ticketed for low BAC (.04-.08).
Drunk driving, of course is not the only hazard on the roads. Cell phone use, speeding/aggressive driving and not using or improperly wearing a seatbelt are the other major causes of collisions causing death and injury.
In May, police issued 3,014 tickets for speeding/aggressive driving, 223 tickets for distracted driving (158 of those for cellphone use) and 289 tickets for not using a seatbelt, car seat or booster seat.
“SGI reminds motorists to always plan a safe ride home, drive the speed limit (or slower if road conditions aren’t favourable), buckle up whenever you get inside a vehicle, and put your cellphone away while driving so you can stay focused on the road,” a press release stated.
June’s safety blitz targeted new drivers.
