March 25, 2002

Making roads safer

The provincial government has furthered its commitment to make Saskatchewan roads safer by introducing significant amendments to The Vehicle Administration Act.

The most significant amendment expands Saskatchewan's new Ignition Interlock Program so repeat drinking and driving offenders can participate in the program once they have completed any required education and/or treatment. Currently, only first-time offenders are entitled to reduce their suspension through participation in this program.

"Saskatchewan has some of the strongest drinking and driving legislation in the country," Crown Investments Corporation Minister Maynard Sonntag said. "Expanding the Ignition Interlock Program builds on initiatives taken in 2001, including zero blood alcohol tolerance for all new drivers and the immediate 90 day roadside driver's licence suspension.

"Experience in other jurisdictions shows offering an ignition interlock to all offenders has proven to be an effective way to reduce the number of repeat drinking and driving offenders."

An ignition interlock is a device that is attached to the ignition. In order to turn that vehicle on, the driver must blow into the device – which checks for blood alcohol level – in order to start the vehicle.

In the four months the interlock option has been available to Saskatchewan residents, 134 of the devices have been installed in vehicles with offenders paying all costs for participation in the program.

Other significant amendments to The Vehicle Administration Act include:

• adding the current Criminal Code offence of failing to stop for a police officer to those offences that will result in a driver's licence suspension;
• adding consequences to drivers and third parties who try and circumvent an interlock device;
• streamlining SGI's medical review processes to improve service for drivers with medical conditions; and
• improving the appeal process for individuals who have had action taken on their driver's licence for medical reasons, or while participating in the ignition interlock program.

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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