Impaired Driving This Month's Traffic Safety Spotlight
If you like to imbibe in the demon rum or the electric lettuce (or other things which are legal or illegal) this month, like all months, may not be the best time to drive impaired as SGI’s Traffic Safety Spotlight for May will focus upon those who choose to drive impaired.
SGI is asking those who might enjoy a nice evening on the deck enjoying a few refreshments to think about their actions and arrange for other means to get home other than driving impaired.
“No one should ever lose their life to a poor decision made by an impaired driver,” Penny McCune, Chief Operating Officer of the Auto Fund said in a statement. “The past year has taught us about the importance of looking out for each other. Let’s all keep that in mind. If you’re drinking or using drugs, please don't drive.”
Preliminary stats* show in 2020, 32 people died and 371 were injured because of crashes resulting from impaired driving. Those numbers are unacceptable, because impaired driving is completely preventable.
“We continue to be surprised by the number of motorists who don't seem to know or care that driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal and dangerous,” Saskatoon Police Service Drug Recognition Evaluator Patrick Foster said as part of the campaign.. “Our team is highly trained to determine impairment through field sobriety testing techniques. Driving impaired, because of any substance, is never worth the risk.”
If you have been consuming alcohol or imbibing in other substances - whether legal or illegal - SGI asks you to find a safe way home - SGI photo
In addition to alcohol and cannabis, SGI reminds drivers that any substance -- legal or illegal -- that alters your thinking can impact your ability to drive safely.
This can include some prescription drugs, so please consult with your trusted health care professional about whether the medication you’re taking affects your ability to drive. When it comes to operating a vehicle, impaired is impaired.
SGI would like to remind would-be impaired drivers the most troubling consequences of impaired driving are deaths or injuries, but if you need more reasons to not drive impaired, there are further consequences:
Possible jail time or a criminal record
Licence suspensions
Vehicle impoundment and seizures
Financial penalties – both court-ordered fines and Safe Driver Recognition penalties
Instead, drivers need to make a responsible choice by:
offering to be a designated driver for those in your bubble
calling a sober person in your bubble
calling a cab, rideshare or designated driving service
taking public transportation
always #DriveSober and Be A Good Wingman