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April 17, 2002
Crackdown on drinking drivers continues
The Regina Police Service, in partnership with SGI, will continue to hold check stops for drinking and driving over the course of the next year through ‘Enforcement Overdrive.’
Based on the success of a 12-month pilot project, Regina Police and SGI have renewed their commitment to Enforcement Overdrive for another year. The check stops are operated by Regina Police, with funding from SGI for increased staffing costs.
"Keeping our roads safe is a top priority," Crown Investments Corporation Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "Enforcement Overdrive helps achieve this goal. Having visible police check stops on a regular basis throughout the year will take drinking drivers off our roads and increase awareness of the risks associated with impaired driving."
"Drinking and driving is the single largest contributing factor to fatal crashes in the province," Regina Police Chief Cal Johnston said. "The Regina Police Service is very pleased to renew our partnership with SGI on Enforcement Overdrive. It’s through continued co-operation between law enforcement agencies and SGI that we will decrease drinking and driving."
In 2001, Enforcement Overdrive allowed Regina Police to set up check stops throughout the city almost on a weekly basis. More than 24,000 vehicles were checked and nearly 300 impaired driving charges laid.
There was also a reduction in the number of collisions last year compared to the five-year average. From 1996 to 2000, there was an average of 309 alcohol-related accidents per year in Regina. In 2001, there were 267 collisions.
Another objective of the program was to have 20 per cent of the public aware of Enforcement Overdrive. Statistics show once 20 per cent of the population sees or drives through a check stop, alcohol-related accidents decrease substantially. A recent poll showed 68 per cent of people are aware of the increased check stops in Regina.
"We anticipate Enforcement Overdrive will be just as effective this year in reducing the incidence of drinking and driving," Sonntag said. "We believe we can do this through increased enforcement and awareness of the likelihood of being pulled over in a check stop."
Based on the success of the pilot program in Regina in 2001, SGI is considering expanding the program to another Saskatchewan community in 2002.
For media inquiries only, contact:
Julianne Jack
SGI Communications
Regina
(306) 775-6907
For all other inquiries, call 1-800-667-8015.
For additional information, contact:
Elizabeth Popowich
Public information Office
Regina Police Service
Regina
(306) 777-6364
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