Impaired driving numbers are dropping in Saskatchewan, but there is still room for improvement.
That is why impaired driving is the focus of the Traffic Safety Spotlight for the month of August.
The number of people killed and injured in impaired driving collisions hit a record low in 2019, but there were still 21 deaths on Saskatchewan roads.
Impaired driving remains a concern; there have been 1,988 impaired driving charges laid between January and June of this year, including 1,691 Criminal Code charges.
“Fewer deaths from impaired driving is positive news, of course, but the only acceptable number of impaired driving deaths is zero,” said Penny McCune, Chief Operating Officer of the Auto Fund. “Every single person who dies as a result of impaired driving has someone they leave behind and a story that wasn’t finished. If their story wasn’t done, then our job isn’t done either.”
As a reminder, impaired drivers face vehicle seizures, licence suspensions, financial penalties, along with possible jail time and a criminal record if convicted of driving impaired.
Be sure to always drive sober and never get into a vehicle with someone you believe is impaired by alcohol or drugs. Do not let friends or family get behind the wheel impaired. You should always plan a safe ride home before you start drinking.
Impaired drivers can be reported by calling 911 through the Report Impaired Drivers (RID) program.
