Getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be deadly.
The Corman Park Police Service (CPPS) is teaming up with Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) and SGI to get that message out to motorists during Impaired Driving Awareness Week in Saskatchewan March 6-12.
“We will be doing additional traffic checkstops during the month of March,” said CPPS Sergeant Sheldon Hamm. “One of those is scheduled for the night of March 11-12. What makes this checkstop a bit different is that we will have some young volunteers from SADD coming out to assist in our education efforts at that time.”
The checkstop is slated for an undisclosed location in the RM of Corman Park.
Hamm said the young volunteers are members of the Saskatoon chapter of SADD, a non-profit, grassroots organization.
SADD’s mission is to educate the public about the legal, social, health and safety risks associated with impaired driving.
“The focus is on preventing impaired driving,” said Hamm. “Checkstops are aimed at enforcement and education. Public safety on our roadways is a priority, and impaired driving is an ongoing problem that needs to be constantly addressed.”
Hamm said impaired driving, along with distracted driving, continues to be the leading cause of fatal collisions in Saskatchewan, particularly for people under 35.
According to SGI, young and inexperienced drivers are at a higher risk of crashing after drinking even a small amount of alcohol.
Consumption of drugs, including cannabis, also seriously impairs a driver’s judgment, concentration, and reflexes.
SGI officials say taking more than one drug, or mixing alcohol and drugs, and then driving is even more dangerous. Driving after you’ve taken drugs of any kind puts you at greater risk of injuring or killing yourself, your friends or other innocent people.
Under provincial legislation, there is zero tolerance for drugs or alcohol for all new drivers. Penalties for impaired driving include immediate roadside suspensions, vehicle impoundments, and Criminal Code suspensions.
Hamm said SGI provides funding to police services to help cover the costs of additional traffic checkstops, over and above their regular enforcement efforts.
He noted that getting the message about the dangers of impaired driving to young drivers is particularly important. Having SADD volunteers at the checkstops reinforces those efforts.
Hamm said if someone needs to get somewhere after consuming alcohol or drugs, there are safe options, including: having a designated, sober driver; calling a parent, a sober friend for a ride; call a cab or designated driving service, or taking public transportation.