With National Impaired Driving Prevention Week in full swing, the Saskatchewan RCMP wants to raise awareness about the risks and consequences of impaired driving.  

Through January and February, officers have already arrested and charged 138 drivers who blew over the legal limit. They explained that some drivers were well over the legal limit of 80 mg% of alcohol in their blood, which is grounds for a Criminal Code impaired driving charge.  

In their report they said that 66 drivers blew twice the legal limit, 12 provided samples three times the legal limit, and 2 motorists were four times the legal limit.  

“We’re releasing these numbers to show you that people are continuing to get behind the wheel when it should be clear they shouldn’t be. These results demonstrate why events like National Impaired Driving Prevention Week need to continue,” Supt. Gt. Germaine said in a press release. “Everyone needs to take responsibility and ensure that they, and those around them, are not driving when they are impaired by alcohol or drugs.” 

The RCMP wants people to remember: 

  • If you will be consuming products that result in impairment, such as alcohol or cannabis, have a designated driver assigned or plan to take a cab or transit. If no safe ride is available, stay the night and drive only when sober. 

  • Don’t take a chance. If you question whether you’re “too impaired to drive or not”, you likely are. 

  • Don’t let friends or loved ones drive while impaired. If you have concerns about someone’s ability to drive safely, share them calmly and rationally and offer alternative options. 

  • If you see a suspected impaired driver, pull over and immediately call 911. Signs of a possible impaired driver include: lane drifting; driving too fast, slow, or at an inconsistent speed; not using proper signals; making very wide turns; approaching and leaving intersections too slowly or quickly; and driving without headlights or leaving high beams or turn signals on. 

National Impaired Driving Prevention Week runs from Mar. 19 through until Mar. 26.