REGINA — Saskatchewan police reported 450 impaired driving offences, including 200 short-term suspensions to drivers exceeding provincial limits for alcohol or drugs, for the month of March.
March statistics:
· 250 Criminal Code charges
· 170 administrative roadside licence suspensions to experienced drivers*
· 30 administrative roadside licence suspensions to new drivers**
As part of the March Spotlight SGI reminded the public that the REAL legal limit in Saskatchewan is lower than .08 blood alcohol concentration (BAC). When drivers exceed provincial limits, they face consequences that include short-term licence suspensions and vehicle impoundments, along with demerits under the Safe Driver Recognition program and a requirement to attend a mandatory impaired driving education program. Drivers who exceed .08 BAC can be charged with an offence under the Criminal Code.
Criminal Code impaired driving offences carry even more serious consequences, including fines and potential incarceration, longer-term suspensions and vehicle impoundments, and mandatory Ignition Interlock when driving privileges are reinstated.
All impaired driving offences come with an immediate roadside licence suspension, vehicle impoundment, the requirement to attend impaired driving education, and Safe Driver Recognition demerit points. Depending on the severity of the offence and the driver’s record, they could also face financial penalties, incarceration and be required to install a mandatory Ignition Interlock device.
When someone makes the choice to drive impaired, they’re choosing to make the roads less safe for themselves and everyone else on the road, says SGI.
SGI advises, if you’re using alcohol or drugs, you can keep yourself and others safe and stay out of trouble by finding a safe ride home. There are plenty of other options that won’t put yourself and others at risk. Plan to have a designated driver. Take a bus, cab or designated driving service. Call a loved one to pick you up or stay the night.
Other results from March included:
· 509 tickets for seatbelt and occupant restraint offences;
· 4,709 tickets for speeding and aggressive driving offences; and
· 837 tickets issued for distracted driving, including 753 for using a cellphone while driving.
SGI continues to focus on impaired driving in April, highlighting the Report Impaired Drivers program (RID). Make sure to follow SGI on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information, and if you see a driver you believe is driving impaired, call 9-1-1.
*Experienced drivers receive short-term suspensions -- starting at three days -- when caught with blood alcohol content (BAC) between .04 and .08.
**New drivers (which include anyone who is a Learner, Novice 1, Novice 2, and those aged 21 and under) aren’t allowed any alcohol. A first offence results in a 60-day licence suspension, plus the other consequences mentioned above. There is zero tolerance for drugs for all drivers.
