Despite recent encouraging news about impaired driving trends in Saskatchewan, the results of the May Traffic Safety Spotlight show that some people are still making the bad decision to drive impaired.
Police from across Saskatchewan reported 411 impaired driving offences in May, including 339 Criminal Code charges.
While the 2019 impaired driving fatality and injury statistics indicate a culture change in Saskatchewan, impaired driving still the leading cause of death on Saskatchewan’s roads, with 21 people killed last year.
The only acceptable number of impaired driving fatalities is zero, and everyone needs to be a part of the change. Here are five simple ways everyone can do that:
- Decide never to drive impaired;
- Plan a safe ride if they’re going to be impaired;
- Stop an impaired friend or family member from driving;
- Provide or arrange a sober ride for someone who needs one; or
- Let an impaired friend stay over, rather than drive home.
Other results from the May Traffic Safety Spotlight:
- 356 distracted driving tickets (including 257 for cellphone use);
- 742 tickets for aggressive driving and speeding; and
- 315 tickets for seatbelts and child restraint being used incorrectly or not at all.
Impaired driving will again be the focus of the Traffic Safety Spotlight in August and December but SGI wants to remind drivers police enforcement of impaired driving is strong all year.
