When you celebrate holidays, #PlanASafeRide
Regina, SK (Nov. 29, 2017) – You better watch out. You better not drive … if you’re impaired.
The holiday season is upon us, and SGI and law enforcement are focusing on impaired drivers for December’s Traffic Safety Spotlight.
‘Twas the month before Christmas and all through the land,
Many police were patrolling, with breath testers on hand,
Impaired driving is the traffic spotlight for December,
Drivers take heed, and we hope you remember.
Their kids were home with a sitter, tucked in bed tight,
Mom and Dad had the chance to go out for the night,
The party had been festive, Mom drank wine, Dad had beer,
They’d ignored the host’s plea, “You should sleep it off here.”
“Or just call a cab, or a friend who’s not drinking,
They’ll seize your car for three days. What are you thinking?
There’s licence suspensions, fines, and jail time,
You’re putting everyone at risk and committing a crime!”
“It’s a short trip, I’ll be fine,” Dad had scoffed,
They hopped in the minivan and then they drove off,
They sped down the road, not a care in the world,
Then from behind a siren blared, as red and blue swirled.
Dad pulled off to the side, with a feeling of dread,
For he knew he’d been caught, and what lay ahead,
The breath test was quick, and the result less than great,
The machine does not lie; Dad exceeded .08.
Dad spoke not a word… but could not mask his shame,
Mom sat there, teeth clenched, cursing his name.
The officer exclaimed, as he looked at the blood alcohol fail,
“Happy Christmas to all… except you, sir. Off to jail.”
(With sincere apologies to Clement Clark Moore)
Infographic
Statistics:
- Last holiday season (Dec. 1, 2016 to Jan. 3, 2017), three people were killed and 35 people were injured as a result of impaired driving-related collisions in Saskatchewan.
- In total, alcohol was a factor in 57 deaths (46% of all traffic fatalities) in Saskatchewan in 2016.
- Last year in Saskatchewan, there were 1,100 collisions involving alcohol or drugs, killing 57 people and injuring 464 others.
Consequences for impaired driving:
- There is zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs for new drivers. This includes drivers 21 years of age and under and all drivers in the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program or Motorcycle GDL program.
- For experienced drivers, consequences for impaired driving kick in at .04 to .08 BAC. A first offence results in a three-day licence suspension, a three-day vehicle seizure and the individual has to complete a DWI course.
- A new driver caught drinking and driving on a first offence has their licence suspended for 60 days and their vehicle seized for three days. They also have to complete a Driving Without Impairment (DWI) course.
- Saskatchewan’s ignition interlock laws are the strongest in Canada, with mandatory ignition interlock for all drivers convicted of impaired driving or refusing to provide a breath sample. Mandatory participation lengths range from one to 10 years, depending on previous impaired driving convictions and blood alcohol levels at the time of the offence.
About SGI CANADA
Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) is the province’s self-sustaining auto insurance fund. SGI operates 21 claims centres and five salvage centres across Saskatchewan with a head office in Regina. SGI also works with a network of nearly 400 motor licence issuers across the province. Customers can now do some transactions online. For more information, visit www.sgicanada.ca.
Source: SGI CANADA
Tags: SGI
