REGINA – When on duty, Const. Marcus Simons of Regina Police hears colourful excuses every day, but insists there is never one good enough for drinking and driving.
Saskatchewan holds the record for the province with the highest number of impaired drivers.
According to SGI, in 2014 there were 50 fatal collisions involving alcohol. There are almost 100 non-fatal collisions per month linked to impaired driving, and that math equals almost four per day.
Nicholas Robinson is a criminal defense lawyer based in Regina. At any given time, he manages up to 100 DUI related cases at once.
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Marco Muzzo of Newmarket, Ont. was sentenced to an unprecedented 10 years for a fatal impaired collision.
“I think it will affect not just Saskatchewan but the entire country”, Nicholas Robinson explained.
READ MORE: Marco Muzzo: 10 years in prison for drunk driving crash that killed 3 kids, grandfather
Robinson is hoping this reminds people to think twice before getting behind the wheel.
MADD Canada on the other hand argued that the precedent from Muzzo’s case will only affect the courtroom, and not the streets.
“The penalties don’t serve as a deterrent, what serves as a deterrent is the likelihood of that individual getting caught by police,” chief executive director of MADD, Andrew Murie, said
READ MORE: Marco Muzzo got the sentence he deserved, MADD CEO says
Regina Police said they feel confident in sniffing out drunk drivers. As well, SGI funds multiple overdrive projects to help catch them.
Forty-nine year-old Catherine McKay of Saskatoon was allegedly driving drunk when she killed a family of four on highway 11.
Robinson said Muzzo’s sentencing has impacted public opinion, which could translate into better choices on the road.
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