New data published by Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) revealed an increase in impaired driving incidents across the province.
Law enforcement agencies recorded a total of 497 impaired driving offences in October, according to SGI, up from 384 offences reported in September. This total is made up of 201 Criminal Code charges and 296 administrative suspensions, which comprise individuals who are not criminally charged but have exceeded provincial limits.
“Due to more effective enforcement, the number of administrative suspensions has risen sharply this year,” SGI said in a news release.
“There has been a notable increase in the number of people caught driving with drugs in their system, coinciding with increased police access to roadside oral fluid testing devices that can determine whether a driver has consumed cannabis and other drugs.”
The province of Saskatchewan maintains a zero-tolerance policy for drug-impaired driving, making it illegal for drivers to operate a vehicle with any detectable level of impairing drugs in their system as determined by federally approved screening devices.
Penalties for impaired driving include license suspensions, vehicle impoundments, financial penalties, and mandatory participation in an impaired driving education program.
SGI’s October report also highlighted heightened enforcement in other areas of traffic safety, with 763 tickets issued for distracted driving, including 640 for drivers using cell phones. Additionally, 4,338 tickets were issued for various speeding or aggressive driving offences, and 281 tickets were handed out for seatbelt and car seat offences.
Earlier this month, the Crown-owned insurer launched an awareness campaign aimed at urging residents to explore safe alternatives for getting home. The campaign also called on drivers to prioritize safety by “buckling up, slowing down, [and] staying focused on the road.”
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