SGI has released the results for its December Traffic Safety Spotlight, reporting 545 impaired drivers caught during the holidays. 

In December, law enforcement across Saskatchewan held dozens of check stops, along with other less-visible forms of enforcement. SGI says as a result of the check stops, 183 Criminal Code impaired driving offences and 362 administrative for exceeding provincial limits. 

SGI says 241 administrative suspensions were related to drugs, while the other 121 offenses were related to alcohol. 

“The prevalence of drug-related suspensions coincides with police having more widespread access to roadside oral fluid testers that can determine whether a driver has been using cannabis and other drugs,” stated SGI in a release. 

“Administrative suspensions are issued when someone is caught driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) between .04 to .08 and/or they have drugs in their system. Whether it’s for alcohol or drugs, the consequences are essentially the same: a licence suspension (starting at three days; longer if it’s a repeat offence or a new driver), vehicle impoundment, demerits, and the requirement to take a weekend impaired driver education course. The penalties for Criminal Code impaired driving offences are even stricter, with fines and potential imprisonment, longer-term driving suspensions and vehicle impoundments, Ignition Interlock requirements, and significant financial penalties under the Safe Driver Recognition program.”

Other results SGI is reporting from the December Traffic Safety Spotlight include:

  • 3,803 tickets for speeding and aggressive driving offences
  • 234 tickets for people not wearing a seatbelt, or not using the proper car seat or booster
  • 486 tickets for distracted driving, including 412 for using a cellphone