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National Impaired Driving Week Takes Place From March 19-25

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National Impaired Driving Week will be taking place from March 19-25, and with this, Corman Park Police Service is reminding drivers that, “tremendous progress has been made over the years to reduce impaired driving, but despite advances in laws and penalties, enforcement and awareness, some people continue to drive impaired. Impaired driving continues to kill hundreds of Canadians and injure thousands more.”


In Saskatchewan, driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 will lead to a criminal charge, but there are also penalties for driving with a lower BAC.


For new drivers, which includes drivers that are 21 and under, or anyone that is a Learner, Novice 1 or Novice 2 driver under SGI’s Graduated Driver Licensing programs, there is zero tolerance. For experienced drivers, which includes drivers that are 22 years or older, and no longer a Learner of Novice, they are not legally permitted to drive with a BAC of .04 or higher. For all drivers, there is zero tolerance for drugs.


“Saskatchewan has some of the toughest administrative penalties for impaired driving in the country,” said SGI President and CEO Penny McCune. “We want people to be aware of the provincial limits – and the consequences for exceeding them – so drivers will make good choices.”


In 2022 within Saskatchewan, police issued 1,968 short-term licence suspensions to drivers for exceeding provincial limits for alcohol or drugs.


While the consequences vary based on several factors (driver’s experience, number of repeat offences, whether the driver was transporting passengers under the age of 16), a driver caught driving with a BAC between .04 and .08 — or with drugs in their system — will face:

• Immediate roadside licence suspension (starting at three days for an experienced driver and 60 days for a new driver);
• Immediate vehicle impoundment, minimum of three days;
• Mandatory impaired driving education program (a weekend-long “Driving Without Impairment” [DWI] course for a first offence);
• Four Safe Driver Recognition demerit points; and,
• Mandatory Ignition Interlock for a third or subsequent offence.

There is a financial cost to go along with the inconvenience of not having a driver’s licence or a vehicle. Drivers must pay for the cost of the DWI program and registered owners are liable for the towing and storage fees for their impounded vehicle. There are also lost insurance discounts or additional financial penalties that result from demerits with the Safe Driver Recognition program, depending on the driving record.
“People are often surprised to find out they are required to complete a weekend impaired driving education program even for a first time, non-criminal impaired driving offence, and if you don’t complete the necessary program, your driver’s licence will be suspended,” said Saskatoon DWI coordinator Lynn Prestley.
Of course, these consequences are minor compared to the potentially devastating cost of driving impaired. The leading cause of fatal collisions in Saskatchewan continues to be impaired driving, and impairment starts with the first drink.
The only definite way to avoid facing the penalties of driving impaired is to always ensure you have a safe ride home. It’s best to make a plan before you’re impaired, but even if you didn’t, there’s always a better choice. If you’ve been drinking or using drugs, have a sober designated driver, phone a friend or family member, catch a taxi, rideshare or designated driving service, or stay the night. Help others make good choices, too.

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