REGINA — SGI offers up a not-so-fun fact: 35 per cent of Saskatchewan’s impaired driving collisions happen between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.*
“Impaired driving can – and does – happen at any time of day; so can impaired driving enforcement,” said SGI President and CEO Penny McCune. “You can still go out and have a good time. Just make a plan to have a safe ride home.”
Whether your plans are having mimosas at brunch, getting a head-start on Happy Hour, hitting the patio of your local pub, or meeting some buds at 4:20 p.m., the important thing is to make sure you don’t drive after drinking or using drugs, SGI advises.
As part of the May Traffic Spotlight, SGI and law enforcement are urging drivers to always #FindASafeRide:
· designate a driver;
· call a sober friend for a ride; or,
· take a taxi, rideshare, bus or designated driving service.
Police STEP up impaired driving enforcement
Drivers in Saskatoon and area have a strong chance of encountering a check stop over the next two days even during daylight hours.
Police officers specializing in traffic enforcement from around the province are converging on Saskatoon for a two-day enforcement blitz that will happen at several locations around the city. It’s part of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), which brings together law enforcement officers from multiple agencies to hold check stops that look for impaired drivers, along with other high-risk driving behaviours.
“We’re fortunate to be welcoming policing partners from throughout the province into Saskatoon this week for a joint traffic enforcement blitz,” said Saskatoon Police spokesperson Joshua Grella. “Hosting STEP in our city contributes to an ongoing commitment to ensure our roads, sidewalks, and trails remain safe for all who share them.”
This is the first of six STEP projects that will be happening in communities across Saskatchewan in 2023.
Check out SGI’s social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram)
*According to SGI’s collision data for the years 2017-2021.
