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December 11, 2000
Enforcement Overdrive
The Regina Police Service, in partnership with SGI, will commence its 12-month pilot project ‘Enforcement Overdrive' that will focus on impaired driving.
The main objective of ‘Enforcement Overdrive' is to enable Regina Police to operate check stops for drinking and driving over the course of the year. The check stops will be operated by the Regina Police Services, with funding provided by SGI for increased staffing costs.
"Keeping communities safe is a top priority of this government," Crown Investments Corporation Minister John Nilson said. "Enforcement Overdrive helps achieve that goal. Having visible police check stops on a year-round basis will reduce the incidence of drinking and driving in Regina, saving lives, preventing injuries and reducing claim costs for SGI."
"Drinking and driving is the single largest contributing factor to fatal accidents in the province," Regina Police Chief Cal Johnston said. "Regina Police Services approached SGI to fund this initiative and we are very pleased to partner with the corporation on Enforcement Overdrive. "Our goal in the community is to enhance public safety. Keeping impaired drivers off the roads protects Regina residents."
Statistics show even if only 20 per cent of the population encounters road checks, alcohol-related accidents decrease substantially. A similar program in British Columbia resulted in a reduction of 15 to 30 per cent in alcohol- related crashes over a two-year period.
"This success in B.C. is why SGI is funding Enforcement Overdrive," Nilson said. "In Saskatchewan last year, there were four alcohol-related collisions a day, claiming a total of 84 lives. Enforcement Overdrive supports SGI's traffic safety goals. If it works to save lives, prevent injuries on Saskatchewan's roads and reduce claim costs, SGI will consider expanding the program in partnership with other interested police services throughout Saskatchewan."
For media inquiries only, contact:
Julianne Jack
SGI Communications
Regina
(306) 775-6907
For all other inquiries, call 1-800-667-8015.
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