With local highways seeing a disproportionately high number of impaired drivers, a look at the local court docket shows that impaired drivers aren't getting away with the behaviour without consequences.
When one man pleaded guilty to an impaired driving charge on Monday in Estevan provincial court he suggested to presiding Judge Kenn Bellerose that the Estevan Police Service was targeting non-local drivers who have come to the Energy City for work. Bellerose pointed out that the number of impaired drivers he deals with when sitting in Estevan is far greater than those he deals with regularly in Regina and suggested the police were simply targeting those attempting to drive outside the rules of the road.
Seventeen individuals were listed on Monday's docket, answering to charges of impaired driving.
An 18th individual, Leo Bigstone, appeared in custody answering to his fourth and fifth impaired driving charge at only 21 years of age.
The first charge was laid in January when Bigstone was pulled over and failed a roadside breath test. He provided readings of .18 and .17, more than twice the legal limit. During the most recent incident, Bigstone provided two readings of .15 and other drugs were found in his possession.
Bigstone pleaded guilty to two impaired charges, which together mark his third adult conviction for impaired driving.
A joint submission was provided by the Crown prosecutor and defence, who agreed on a jail period of six months, followed by six months probation and a three-year driving prohibition.
Bigstone's employer and a manager of aboriginal community engagement who works with youth, addressed the court as a character reference, and said it wasn't a solution to put Bigstone in jail.
He told the judge "If I didn't believe in him, I wouldn't be here."
Bellerose agreed that Bigstone's time in jail wouldn't necessarily help with any alcohol dependence issues he may have, but added that the jail time, which is mandatory in Bigstone's case, is meant to protect society for a period of time while keeping a serial drunk driver off the streets.
"One thing jail does is, anyone driving on the streets, as long as you're in a correctional centre there is one less serial drinking driver. You neutralize that individual. You have to do something with the individuals who pose a serious risk to the public," said Bellerose.
At some point, he added, the only option the justice system has is to incarcerate offenders in order to protect the public.
In other proceedings, a trial began on Monday for an Estevan man charged with three counts of sexual assault, three counts of sexual interference and four counts of assault. A publication ban prevents the disclosure of the accused's identity as well as those of the victims. The trial continues until Friday.
