Impaired Drivers The Focus in January

SOURCE - SGI

Thinking about taking a chance and driving impaired might not be your best option as not only have the federal and provincial laws changed but additionally there is going to be increased enforcement of impaired driving laws over January..

Since December 18th the Federal law has changed to allow officers to demand breath samples of anyone driving a motor vehicle. Officers do not have to see signs to request a driver to provide the breath sample.

In a press release announcing January’s enforcement focus the message is clear if you are driving impaired the odds are you might get caught,

“The battle against impaired driving is as relevant as ever with the legalization of cannabis in October, and a host of new federal and provincial laws brought in throughout 2018., “ SGI said in a press release.

 ‘Make 2019 the year you don’t even think about driving impaired,” said Penny McCune, Chief Operating Officer of the Auto Fund. “The acceptable number for drivers charged with impairment is zero. The acceptable number for people killed and hurt by impaired driving is zero. Every driver has the responsibility to never get behind the wheel when they’re impaired.”

 Whether it’s marijuana, alcohol, or any other drug, impaired is impaired, the release stated, adding “Police have the training and tools to determine when someone is driving under the influence, and with recent changes to the laws around obtaining breath samples, impaired drivers are even more likely to get caught.”

Although they won’t publicly announce their plans Moose Jaw Police Service is ready to enforce the laws.

The province has also announced zero tolerance when it comes to drug impaired driving as well as tougher penalties for impaired drivers where there is minors in the vehicle..

Impaired driving is still the leading cause of death on Saskatchewan roads. In 2017, 39 per cent of traffic fatalities in Saskatchewan involved drug and/or alcohol use. To put that in perspective, the number one thing killing people on Saskatchewan roads is completely preventable., the release stated.