As part of its “June Traffic Safety Spotlight,” Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) has issued a new advisory for drivers in the province, warning them of the twin threat of impaired and unbelted driving.

The insurer noted that over a third of impaired driving deaths also involve a passenger or driver not wearing their seatbelt; over the last five years, a total of 172 people were killed in impaired driving collisions in Saskatchewan. Of that number, SGI said that 60 of the cases also involved passengers or drivers not properly restrained.

“Driving impaired is dangerous, and not wearing a seatbelt is reckless; unfortunately, where you find one, you often find the other,” said SGI vice president of traffic safety Kwei Quaye. “The combination significantly compounds the risk of a bad outcome, because driving impaired greatly increases the chance you’ll be in a crash and being unbelted increases the chance the crash will kill you.”

“Driving while under the influence can lead to a litany of bad decisions – including not buckling up,” commented Saskatchewan RCMP/Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan staff sergeant Chad McLeod.

McLeod also noted that drivers who are impaired already do not make sound decisions and have no business driving.

“Our plea to the public is this: Please don’t become a statistic. We don’t want to be going to your family’s door one day to tell them that you’re never coming home again,” the officer said. “Drive sober, drive safe – or plan a safe ride home – and don’t break the good habit of wearing your seatbelt each time you get in a vehicle.”

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Last month, SGI appointed Penny McCune to the role of president and CEO. McCune has been serving the company for 36 years, having joined back in 1985 as a temporary junior clerk. McCune was most recently the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the SGI Auto Fund.