As the festive season approaches, the Saskatchewan RCMP is encouraging the community to make prudent choices before getting behind the steering wheel.
“It’s truly devastating to inform individuals that their family member has been gravely harmed – or worse, has died – due to a vehicle accident,” remarks Supt. Grant St. Germaine, head of Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services. “It’s even more sorrowful when you realize it could have been prevented if someone had opted for a more judicious choice.”
In the initial 11 months of 2024, Saskatchewan RCMP personnel dealt with over 3,700 motorists who had recently ingested alcohol and/or drugs. These encounters led to around 1,400 Criminal Code allegations and 2,300 roadside suspensions.
Charges filed and roadside suspensions enacted during December safety initiatives
From December 1 to 7, it was Canada Safe Driving Week. Throughout the week-long enforcement initiative, Saskatchewan RCMP and Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan agents checked more than 1,400 drivers. They identified 57 who had recently used drugs or alcohol before operating a vehicle. Six were charged under the Criminal Code for impaired driving and 51 received roadside suspensions.
Among the roadside suspensions, 21 were found to have a blood alcohol concentration of .04 to .08, 29 proved positive for cannabis use, and one tested positive for both cannabis and cocaine use.
On December 7, 2024, it was National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day. CTSS officers were on duty throughout the province, discovering that 36 drivers had recently consumed alcohol or drugs before taking the wheel. Out of these, 12 were charged under the Criminal Code and 24 were subjected to roadside suspensions.
“Law enforcement officers will be monitoring our roads during the festive season – and I hope that everyone makes sensible choices so we won’t need to respond to another report of an impaired driver, process another charge, or issue another roadside suspension,” Supt. St. Germaine states. “My Christmas wish is for Saskatchewan’s roads to remain safe.”
Contribute to keeping roads safe this festive season
Do not drive under the influence.
If you – or your guests – or your loved ones – are consuming substances that cause impairment, such as alcohol or cannabis, ensure there is a designated driver. Don’t take risks; if you have doubts about your ability to drive, you likely should not.
If you witness a suspected impaired driver, safely pull over and immediately dial 911. Possible signs indicate an impaired driver include: drifting between lanes; driving too fast, slow, or inconsistently; failure to use proper signals; making excessively wide turns; approaching and departing intersections either too slowly or swiftly; and driving without headlights or activating high beams or turn signals unnecessarily.
Protect our officers during this festive season. If you encounter a check-stop, reduce your speed and continue to comply with the officers’ instructions. If you see an officer roadside with their emergency lights flashing, it is mandatory to reduce your speed to 60 km/hr.