It is 2015 and there should not be a person left in this province who is not aware of the dangers of drinking and driving.
And yet, every week in Yorkton provincial court there are numerous people facing criminal code charges for doing just that. For a first offence where blood alcohol readings are between .08 and .15, it is a $1,000 fine, loss of licence for a year and a criminal record for the rest of your life.
One guy just a couple weeks ago went to jail for 18 months for subsequent offences.
But those consequences pale in comparison to the guilt of maiming or killing someone.
On average in Saskatchewan, there are more than 1,300 collisions each year involving alcohol and/or other drugs, resulting in 58 deaths and 656 injuries according to SGI.
“These aren’t just numbers,” said Earl Cameron, vice president of the Auto Fund. “They are real people who have been hurt or killed because someone chose to drive impaired. While spreading holiday cheer with friends and family, remember that someone you love is waiting for you to get home safely.”
This is the time of year of parties and general merry-making. Let’s not make it a time of grief.
“Impaired driving collisions are 100 per cent preventable,” said Cameron. “With so many options to not drive impaired, there are no excuses. When planning a night out, make a safe ride home part of your plan. Choose a designated driver in advance, call a taxi or designated driving service, take the bus, walk, or stay over. Please don’t put your life and the lives of others at risk.”
We can do this. And, while we are at it, let’s not forget there are many other dangers out there at this time of year. It’s been a mild winter so far, but icy conditions are certainly in our near future.
Like not driving impaired, staying safe in winter conditions is a lot of common sense, chiefly reducing speed and keeping a safe distance from vehicles in front.
Other tips from SGI include: not braking or accelerating to hard, removing all ice and snow from windows before driving, not using cruise control when roads are icy and wet, make sure your vehicle is tuned up and ready for the season and check road conditions before heading out.
“It’s important for motorists to drive with more care and caution during the winter months,” said Shannon Ell, SGI’s manager of traffic safety promotion. “Road conditions constantly change, which means adjusting our driving habits.”
Have a happy and safe holiday season, Yorkton.
