Spring. It brings out the grills, the first trips to the lake and, of course, a few cold ones. It also brings out those who are prone to having a few too many cold ones and getting behind the wheel of their vehicle.
Sarah Poole, a 10-year emergency room nurse at the Regina General Hospital has seen the devastation drunk driving can entail firsthand.
“I’ve seen patients with limbs missing, limbs being brought in on ice to be reattached, people being rushed to the OR, and people needing massive blood transfusions,” said Poole. “People think they’re invincible. They never think it’s going to happen to them, until it happens to them and then it’s horrific.
“People don’t realize that one bad choice—to drive drunk or high—can damage so much. It really is that simple.”
The statistics don’t lie. In 2013, 40 people were killed and 606 were injured in alcohol- and drug-related collisions. Saskatchewan continues to lead the country in this category second only to the Northwest Territories.
SGI’s monthly traffic safety blitz for May will focus on impaired driving. Throughout the month Saskatchewan law enforcement agencies will be on particular lookout for impaired drivers.
This summer marks the second year of tougher legislation in Saskatchewan which includes longer licence suspensions, immediate roadside vehicle seizures, and user-pay mandatory ignition interlock in some cases. Drug-impaired drivers face the same consequences as those impaired by alcohol.
“SGI reminds drivers to always plan a safe ride home,” stated a press release from the provincial insurer. “Choose a designated driver in advance, take a taxi, use a safe ride service, take the bus or call a friend or family member to pick you. SGI even has a free Safe Ride app to help you keep track of these different options. And if you see a driver you suspect is impaired, pull over and call 911 to report them to police through the Report Impaired Drivers (RID) program.”
