224 impaired driving offences through January

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

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. Traffic fatalities caused by impaired driving are 100% preventable, and there is always a better alternative than getting behind the wheel under the influence. 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.

The Traffic Safety Spotlight will focus on impaired driving will be the focus several more times throughout 2019. The February Traffic Safety Spotlight is on seatbelts and car seats, and we want everyone in Saskatchewan to #MakeItClick.