Saskatchewan Government Insurance are teaming up with police this month to focus on drinking and driving as part of their Traffic Safety Spotlight for October.

Police will be putting extra emphasis on catching drivers who get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Another point of focus for law enforcement will be distracted driving, and unsafe driving behaviours like speeding and not wearing a seatbelt.

SGI will also increase the number of advertising and social media promotion towards raising awareness of the dangers of impaired driving.

In 2015, statistics in Saskatchewan show 53 people were killed and 562 others were injured in crashes related to impaired driving. 44 per cent of traffic fatalities in the province involved alcohol or drug use in 2015 as well.

Drivers can face a number of penalties and consequences for impaired driving in Saskatchewan. Such serious infractions include immediate roadside licence suspensions and vehicle seizures, mandatory ignition interlock in some cases, education requirements such as completing a Driving Without Impairment course, fines and jail time.

SGI suggests drivers use the following tips to help keep roads free of impaired drivers: 

  • Plan a safe ride home and assure you are not making the decision to drive under the influence.
  • Consequences for impaired driving begin at a blood alcohol content of 0 for new drivers and .04 for experienced drivers. 
  • Take away keys from friends and family who plan to drive impaired. Instead, offer to call them a cab, a safe ride service, or let them stay the night. 
  • Volunteer to be the designated driver.
  • Do not get into a vehicle with someone who has been drinking or using drugs.
  • Call 911 to report suspected impaired drivers to police.

Last month, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall addressed the public on social media about impaired driving being a lingering problem in the province, and wants to see change as soon as possible. Kindersley RCMP also touched on the subject, mentioning how the numbers in west central Saskatchewan suggest it is problem which needs to be eliminated.