Impaired driving still a problem in Sask

SGI’s October traffic safety focus was on impaired driving. The month-long blitz saw 330 drunk drivers stopped and charged with related offenses.

There were 335 charges in total. That includes 21 offences for having a blood alcohol content (BAC) between .04-.08 and 314 Criminal Code charges such as impaired driving, BAC over .08, or refusing a breath test.

This is slightly better than May, the last month where SGI focused on impaired driving. That month saw 359 impaired driving offenses.

Saskatchewan has long had a problem combining alcohol and the road. According to Stats Canada, the province has a rate of impaired driving violations of 575.05 per 100,000 citizens in 2015, nearly triple the national average of 200.94 per 100,000 citizens in the same time frame.

New laws in 2017 aim to change these statistics with stricter penalties. For example, after January 1 there will be a three day vehicle seizure for a first offense of having a BAC between .04-.08.

There will also be stricter laws surrounding  the length of time someone is required to have an ignition interlock installed. If charged with having a BAC between .08 and .159, the second and third offense will require an interlock for three and ten years, up from two and five. Those with a first offense will have one for one year, same as currently. Those with a BAC of over .16 or who refuse a breath sample, a newly created category, will have ignition interlocks for 2 years at the first offense, five at the second and ten at the third.

Drivers under 21 and new drivers meanwhile have zero tolerance. They will face the prospect of an ignition interlock for 365 days after a 365 day suspension if there is any alcohol. The current law is for drivers under 19, and has a suspension of 90 days.

Police also issued other tickets during the month. These included 3,208 speeding violations, 289 tickets for distracted driving, with 180 of those for using a cellphone while driving and 260 tickets for inappropriate or no seatbelt or child safety seat.

SGI will continue to focus on impaired driving in November.