Ding in the New Year Safely with Free Transit
MLA Warren Michelson along with Mayor Fraser Tolmie, Transit Manager Mark Sture, SGI officials and students of Students Against Distracted Driving (SADD) from Vanier Collegiate and Central Collegiate attended the launch for Ding in the New Year at the City of Moose Jaw Complex on Thursday, December 7.
Moose Javians are encouraged to take full advantage of free transit on New Year’s Eve in order to prevent any instances of impaired driving.
People will have the opportunity to ride the buses free of charge on December 31 from 7:55 p.m. to 3:15 a.m. through the province’s long running initiative, “Ding in the New Year” in its 29th year. The City of Moose Jaw has participated since its inception. “Last year, approximately 300 people took advantage of the free ride home on New Year’s Eve. Those people really appreciated the service and that’s between 200 & 300 people that would have otherwise driven home after they’ve had a drink,” said Transit Manager Mark Sture.
He is encouraging persons to use the transit service if they plan on celebrating the New Year with a drink or two. “We want persons to know that 88 per cent of homes in the city are within 300 metres of a bus stop so it is not far to walk to a bus stop after you’ve had a few drinks.”
Moose Jaw North MLA, Warren Michelson wished persons a happy holiday but reiterated the harsh penalties for driving impaired. He says “Ding in the New Year” with free transit is a way of ensuring that people get home safely. “This is the 29th year of Ding in the New Year and SGI has been involved with that right from the start and we appreciate that. For many people, New Year’s Eve is a time of celebration which often involves alcohol and other impairing substances. Unfortunately, historically, Saskatchewan has had a problem with impaired driving and that’s why our government has strengthened penalties for impaired driving. We now have some of the toughest penalties and laws in Canada. Consequently, they now include not only driving while drinking but also with drugs. There’s zero tolerance for alcohol or drugs for any driver under the age of 21,” he said.
“It was announced this fall that Saskatchewan will have zero tolerance on drug impaired driving in preparation for the legalization of marijuana in Canada. The bottom line is driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol is not a good idea and has serious consequences. If there’s going to be any drinking, there must be a plan on how to get home safely, either through a designated driver or take full advantage of the free bus rides. Impaired driving is 100 per cent preventable and we all have a responsibility,” added Michelson. Free transit will be available on all regular routes across the city on New Year’s Eve.