By TERRY PUGH
The Corman Park Police Service (CPPS) is currently exploring its options regarding mandatory roadside testing for alcohol and drug-impaired drivers, according to Corman Park Police Chief Robert Duttchen.
“We’re in the process of working with independent legal counsel and holding internal discussions on whether to implement mandatory roadside screening,” said Duttchen in an interview in early January. “We’ll be reviewing our policy in the coming weeks.”
SPS IMPLEMENTED MAS
The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) implemented Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS), effective January 1, as an additional measure to improve road safety and reduce impaired driving within Saskatoon, according to a news release from the SPS issued December 29.
The alcohol and drug testing takes about 30 seconds on average. Failure to provide a Breathalyzer or drug test sample will result in refusal charges, which are also very serious.
In May, 2025, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal ruled that mandatory alcohol screening was constitutional, despite violating Canadians’ charter rights. The court ruled that it was a reasonable violation given the dangers to the public posed by impaired drivers.
Under MAS, police officers conducting traffic stops may lawfully demand a driver to provide a roadside breath sample into an approved screening device, without requiring suspicion of impairment.
The legal authority for MAS has existed since 2018 following changes to the Criminal Code for impaired driving. The policy has been implemented by other police services across the province, and the SPS said implementing it in the City of Saskatoon provides consistency in road safety practices.
RCMP SEES SUCCESS
Saskatchewan RCMP began conducting roadside MAS tests on all routine traffic stops in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction on April 1, 2024.
Since the implementation of its MAS policy, Saskatchewan RCMP officers have taken hundreds of impaired drivers off the road, according to an email from RCMP media relations in response to a question from the Gazette.
“From January 1, 2025, to November 30, 2025, Saskatchewan RCMP Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) police officers tested a total of 41,887 drivers for alcohol impairment using an Alcohol Screening Device (ASD,” stated the RCMP. “Of these, 684 drivers received either a Warning result (.04 to .079 BAC) or a Fail result (.08 BAC and over).
“With further police investigation, an ASD Fail result can lead to Criminal Code impaired-driving charges and an ASD Warning result can lead to roadside driver’s licence suspensions.
“This year so far, from January 1, 2025, to November 30, 2025, Saskatchewan RCMP Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) police officers removed from Saskatchewan roads a total of 1509 drivers who:
* received a positive result on an Alcohol Screening Device (ASD), and/or
* displayed symptoms of recent drug consumption.”
CPPS PONDERS MAS
The CPPS did implement a mandatory roadside screening policy several years ago following the changes to the Criminal Code in 2018, but that policy was later changed.
At the present time, said Duttchen, roadside screening for alcohol or drugs is based on the CPPS officer’s discretion of whether there are reasonable grounds to suspect the driver is impaired.
Duttchen said police officers are highly-trained in detecting tell-tale signs of alcohol or drug impairment.
“We have drug recognition experts and screening devices that are very effective,” said Duttchen. “We’re thankful that provincial funding through SGI has provided us with tools to screen for drug-impaired driving. Our members are getting substantial results, but the tools and infrastructure are costly. Provincial funding is very important, particularly for smaller enforcement agencies with limited budgets.”
Duttchen said while alcohol-impaired driving is a continuing concern, the number of drug-impairment incidents is rising.
“Drug-impaired driving has spiked in the last few years,” said Duttchen. “One of the factors is that police are more proactively engaged in looking for it; and another factor is that the tools around drug-impaired driving have become more efficient and more widely available.”
Duttchen said CPPS officers are actively looking for impaired drivers.
“We take a zero tolerance approach to drug and alcohol impaired driving,” he said. “Our advice to the public is that if you have used drugs or consumed alcohol, then please utilize the services of a designated driver, a ride service or a taxi to get around safely.
“If you choose to drive under the influence, then you can expect Corman Park Police Service members to be looking for you.”