Once again, Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) chose impaired driving for their January traffic safety spotlight and police across the province reported 224 impaired driving offences last month. This includes 194 Criminal Code violations and 30 administrative roadside suspensions.
In December 2018, motorists across Saskatchewan totalled 288 impaired driving offences.
The Crown insurance company is reminding drivers that provincial legislation took effect in the fall introducing zero tolerance for drug-impaired driving. Federal legislation took effect on Dec. 18, 2018, allowing police to demand a roadside breath sample from any driver they’ve pulled over.
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SGI added that officers are trained in standard field sobriety tests, and several are certified drug recognition experts. Roadside saliva testers for marijuana and cocaine are also becoming more common across Saskatchewan.
Other January offences highlighted by SGI include 640 distracted driving tickets (545 were for cellphones), 383 seatbelt/car seat tickets, and 5,160 tickets for speeding or aggressive driving.
The February traffic safety spotlight centres around seat belts. SGI said they will make impaired driving the spotlight several times throughout 2019.