Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) have released their preliminary findings for impaired driving numbers from 2017 with Saskatchewan reaching significant lows of death and injury from impaired drivers.
In 2017, 39 deaths and approximately 340 injuries occurred on Saskatchewan roads in 2017 from collisions involving alcohol or drugs, said SGI in a May 24 press release. Of the 39 deaths, 34 were attributed to alcohol while the remaining five were attributed to drug use.
“Both numbers represent significant decreases in those categories from the previous year and from the five-year average. From 2012-16, Saskatchewan averaged 596 injuries and 57 deaths resulting from collisions involving alcohol or drugs,” said SGI.
SGI credits community initiatives, stricter impaired driving penalties, awareness campaigns, and a stronger police presence for the change in numbers.
“We hope this is the start of something big and we want to let people know that when they make good decisions – to not drive impaired, to stop friends and family from driving impaired, to plan a safe ride home – it can have a real and positive impact,” said Minister Responsible for SGI Joe Hargrave in the press release.
