Impaired Driver Focused On This January

Impaired Driving Was Focused on in January - Photo Courtesy SGI

Impaired Driving Was Focused on in January - Photo Courtesy SGI

January was a tough month if you chose to drive impaired as SGI and several police agencies - including Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) - were involved in Traffic Safety Spotlight. And despite several previous warnings and selective traffic enforcement efforts focused against impaired driving there were still those who were caught impaired.

224 impaired driving offences during January Traffic Safety Spotlight

 During January’s Traffic Safety Spotlight, police across the province reported 224 impaired driving offences, including 194 Criminal Code charges and 30 roadside administrative suspensions. 

 According to a press release from SGI the emphasis should be on planning a safe ride home if an individual is consuming alcohol or drugs. Making the active decision to drive sober is easy. What’s never been harder: getting away with driving impaired, the statement read.

 Last fall, new provincial legislation took effect that included zero tolerance for drug-impaired driving. Then, on December 18, 2018, new federal law enabled police to demand a roadside breath sample from any driver they’ve pulled over.

 On top of that, police officers have been trained to determine driver impairment using Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and Drug Recognition Evaluations and roadside saliva testers that detect marijuana and cocaine are in the hands of police across Saskatchewan right now.

 SGI wants to remind everyone “Whether it’s alcohol or drugs, legalized or illicit, impaired is impaired. Traffic fatalities caused by impaired driving are 100% preventable, and there is always a better alternative than getting behind the wheel under the influence,” according to the release. 

In January, police in Saskatchewan also reported the following:

  • 640 distracted driving offences (including 545 cellphone tickets);

  • 383 tickets related to seatbelts and car seats; and 

  • 5,160 tickets for speeding and aggressive driving.

Although there are no numbers provided for Moose Jaw the MJPS was part of the effort.

Although impaired driving still results in traffic accidents and fatalities it is now displaced by distracted driving which includes the use of cell or smart phones while operating a vehicle.

Here is a link to some of the administrative things you may have to undertake if caught driving impaired - Impaired Driver Education

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