Last month, SGI released its hard-hitting, emotional awareness campaign targeting impaired driving, and the results of May’s traffic safety spotlight are another reminder of why such campaigns are needed.
May’s traffic safety spotlight focused on impaired driving. During the month, police reported 324 impaired-driving related offences, including: 280 Criminal Code charges such as blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeding .08, impaired driving or refusing a breath test, and 44 roadside suspensions (includes new drivers with a BAC ranging from .00 to .08 and experienced drivers with a BAC ranging from .04 to .08).
SGI reminds drivers that impaired driving remains the leading cause of traffic fatalities on Saskatchewan roads. It’s 100 per cent preventable and – with the tougher new legislation introduced in Saskatchewan at the beginning of the year – 100 per cent not worth the risk.
That new legislation includes a three-day vehicle seizure for experienced drivers with a BAC over .04, zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol for drivers 21 and under, and the strongest ignition interlock laws in all of Canada. If drugs and alcohol consumption increase with summer temperatures, remember to always plan a safe ride home after patio drinks, a day at the lake and other summer activities. Remember, if you drink, don’t drive and if you drive, don’t drink.
The other notable result coming out of the May traffic safety spotlight was a significant uptick in speeding and aggressive driving offences (6,159) reported by police. That is the highest number of speeding tickets reported via a traffic safety spotlight since October 2015.
Other results from the May spotlight included 364 distracted driving offences (251 of those for cell phone use) and 469 seatbelt, car seat or booster seat violations throughout the month.
#PracticeUp Saskatchewan – police will continue to focus on new driver safety for the month of June. Results from that traffic safety spotlight will be available in the third week of July.
