The provincial government of Saskatchewan is changing its drunk driving laws for next year by introducing stricter measures. The new rules come into effect on January 01, 2017.
Saskatchewan Government Insurance reported that 44% of the province’s road fatalities are alcohol related. The province’s drunk driving problem has become so severe that
The Canadian Press claims that Saskatchewan has the worst drunk driving rate of all provinces.
Under the drunk driving rule changes being proposed for next year, drivers found to have .04% to .08% alcohol in their blood on a first offence will have their vehicle seized and impounded for three days. Currently, the rules do not impose vehicle seizure penalties for drivers with such blood alcohol levels.
One of the other changes to the law is a rise in the minimum age at which drivers would be served 60-day zero tolerance license suspension penalties. At present, the zero tolerance penalties applies to drivers under the age of 19 (as well as new drivers) who have been caught under the influence of alcohol or drugs. With the changes, the age restriction will be raised to 21 and under.
The provincial government is also looking to change the rules on ignition interlock systems - devices designed to prohibit drivers from starting their cars if their blood alcohol levels are too high. Rule changes for next year extend mandatory ignition interlock for repeat drunk drivers and would allow the penalty to be served to intoxicated drivers who refuse to supply a breath sample.
Several have voiced their approval of the rule changes.
“That’s a step, I think, a real positive step to zero tolerance,” Allan Kerpan, whose 25-year-old daughter Danille was involved in a fatal drunk driving accident in 2014, told
The Canadian Press.
“I’ve always said that it’s more than just enforcement. It has to get to society, it has to get people realizing that impaired driving is not an acceptable norm,” said Louis Van de Vorst, whose son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren were mortally wounded by a drunk driver last January.
“That right there is an operational change that makes a significant difference and it sends a message to people that are not thinking before they get behind the wheel after they’ve had a drink,” commented Regina Police Chief Evan Bray.
The Saskatchewan government is also moving to tighten its cellphone law. There are plans to change the law to prohibit motorists from holding and/or viewing their phones while driving.
Related stories:
Former deputy premier apologizes for drunk driving
Drunk driving charges triple in Saskatchewan
