Impaired driving is the traffic safety spotlight for the month of May.
Throughout the month, police across the province will be watching for drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“It’s critical to always plan a safe ride home,” said Earl Cameron, executive vice-president of the Auto Fund.
“Before you go out, make a plan for how you will get home. There are people who count on you to be there in their lives, and other road users also want to make it home safe to their loved ones.”
Impaired driving remains the number one contributing factor in fatal collisions in Saskatchewan. In 2014, there were 1,147 crashes involving alcohol or drugs. Sixty-one people were killed and 541 others were injured.
SGI recommends people follow these tips to help keep our roads free of impaired drivers:
• Choose a designated driver before you go out.
• Take a cab, take the bus, use a designated driving service, call a friend or family member to pick you up, or stay the night.
• Use SGI’s free Safe Ride app to keep track of your safe ride options.
• Don’t get into a vehicle with someone you know has been drinking or using drugs.
• Remember that some prescription and over-the-counter medications can impact driving ability. Review side effects with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Report impaired drivers by calling 911.
To help bring down the number of impaired driving collisions, Saskatchewan introduced tougher laws with harsher consequences in 2014. Saskatchewan now has some of the toughest impaired driving legislation in Canada, including longer licence suspensions, immediate roadside vehicle seizures, and mandatory ignition interlock for convicted impaired drivers.
View SGI’s website at www.sgi.sk.ca for more information about impaired driving and its consequences. Follow SGI on Facebook and Twitter for tips safety tips to #takecareoutthere.
