March, 2000

Reducing impaired driving still top goal for SGI

We hear news stories all too often that begin "an impaired driving collision claimed the life of a Saskatchewan resident over the weekend...." Last year, we heard this story more than 50 times, often with more than one fatality.

"Unfortunately, drinking and driving remains the number one contributing factor in fatal collisions in Saskatchewan. Impaired driving is an issue that SGI is continuously working to resolve," said Phyllis Glowatsky, SGI’s Manager of Driver Programs.

In 1999 in Saskatchewan, 62 alcohol-related crashes claimed a total of 84 lives. This is why SGI supports Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD), who have declared March 12-18 Impaired Driving Awareness Week - a week designated to raise awareness of the consequences of impaired driving.

"Raising the awareness of the consequences of drinking and then driving contributes to SGI’s traffic safety goals, which include saving lives, improving the safety on Saskatchewan’s roads and reducing claims costs," said Glowatsky. "We applaud any and all efforts to crack down on drinking drivers."

Recent efforts include the changes made to Canada’s impaired driving laws, focussing on longer driver’s licence suspensions and larger fines for offenders. Effective July 1, 1999, Criminal Code convictions for a .08 blood alcohol content (BAC), impaired driving or refusing a breath test result in harsher penalties for offenders.

Now, first, second and third time offenders face court-ordered licence suspensions of one to three years, two to five years, and three or more years, respectively. As a condition of reinstatement of driving privileges, drivers must serve their entire prohibition period, which is the licence suspension period imposed by the court. Because of the changes to federal legislation, SGI can no longer provide restricted driving privileges.

For example, prior to the changes, a first time impaired driving offender would have to serve a three-month licence suspension under federal laws, and one year under provincial legislation. SGI had the option to reduce the one-year suspension if a driver met certain criteria. Since the federal government has increased suspension periods under the Criminal Code to equal the provincial legislation suspension period of one year for a first time offender, SGI is no longer able to reduce the suspension period and provide early reinstatement.

In addition to serving the entire prohibition period, drivers must attend an addiction screening and complete any prescribed treatment before their licence will be reinstated. Minimum fines have also been increased for such violations from $300 to $600, with no maximum fine.

"Each year thousands of people across Canada suffer needlessly as a result of drinking and then driving. We hope to see these numbers reduced as a result of the combined effects of comprehensive legislation, strong enforcement and increased awareness of the consequences of impaired driving," said Glowatsky.

For further information, contact:
Phyllis Glowatsky
Manager, Driver Programs
SGI
Regina
(306) 775-6180

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