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SGI, along with Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) rolled out the latest Traffic Safety Spotlight Monday.
From the short-term holding cells at SPS headquarters, representatives from the organizations explained the dangers of driving impaired, including the consequences it may entail.
SPS Staff Sargent Patrick Barbar said when drivers are caught over the limit, a process begins from their end.
“If it’s a criminal code zero-eight, or impaired driving charge, you will be arrested at the road side… you’ll be searched and booked in. They’ll take your shoes, they’ll take your belt, they’ll take everything that’s in your pockets, you’ll end up waiting in a (jail cell).”
Barbar said during their stop-checks so far this December, 21 impaired drivers were taken off the road. Four ended up with criminal code charges.
Among the 21 impaired drivers, seven were found to be under the influence of cannabis. The remaining 14 were caught under the influence of alcohol.
Barbar said the numbers are “on par” with 2018’s holiday season. He explained why he thinks people continue to operate vehicles under the influence.
“When people feel that there’s a chance they’ll get away with something, they’ll do it. It’s in some people’s nature. We see the same phenomenon with distracted driving,” he said.
@TylerMcMurchy and his crew set us up some solid digs for the scrum as well.
And yes, they don’t USUALLY look like this. #yxe #yxecrime pic.twitter.com/WEQNhpzqEq
— brady lang (@BradyLangSK) December 30, 2019
SGI’s Manager of Media Relations, Tyler McMurchy said people need to make the right choice when it comes to impaired driving, or they may end up in a jail cell.
“I can’t imagine a worse place to spend New Years Eve, or any day of the year. Again, the message has to go out. We know that a lot of people will make plans for a safe ride home if they are going to be celebrating the New Year. But if you haven’t made a plan and you are going out, make sure that how you get home is a part of that plan.”
In August, McMurchy said SGI received an update on the “big four” driver issues – impaired driving, distracted driving, lack of seat belt use, and speeding. He said numbers are continuing to go down for fatalities and injuries in these issues.
According to McMurchy, 43 people died in Saskatchewan due to impaired driving in 2018. Over 350 people were injured in incidents connected to impaired driving.
“Wherever you are in the province, there’s always a better choice than driving impaired. It does, often, come down to making a plan.”