The SGI is taking advantage of the arrival of U.S. College Basketball’s busiest time of the year to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving.
“Your March Madness bracket is a gamble. Your safe ride home isn’t,” reads the SGI press release sent out on Monday. “Irrespective of what you are celebrating or consumed drivers should ensure that they don’t drive while impaired.”
SGI officials said there are plenty of reasons to get together this month, even if you aren’t a college basketball fan. The list includes hosting friends to watch the Oscars or JUNOS, heading out for St. Patrick’s Day, gathering to cheer on the top teams in your March Madness bracket, or just spending time with loved ones while you wait out the winter.
Whatever your plans may be, SGI Vice-President of Traffic Safety Kwei Quaye said residents need to remember police have the right to demand a roadside breath sample of any driver they legally stop, using an approved screening device. Police don’t need to suspect alcohol use to make this request.
“Mandatory alcohol screening is about preventing tragedy, not catching drivers off guard,” Quaye said in the press release. “Impaired driving remains the leading cause of fatal collisions in Saskatchewan. Knowing how the law works helps drivers make safer choices and protects everyone on the road.”
The federal legislation giving police this right came into effect in Dec. 2018. If a driver chooses not to comply, they can be charged with a Criminal Code offence and face the same consequences as exceeding the legal limit.
Quayle said mandatory alcohol screenings are quick and painless, often taking no more than a few seconds to conduct. A trained officer will instruct the driver to give a roadside breath sample into an approved screening device. The results are returned right away. If the driver passes the test (and there are no other reasons to detain them), they will soon be on their way.
“We all have a part to play in ensuring everyone gets home safe,” reads the SGI press release. “As such we must do the following things: pick a designated driver or volunteer to be one for your group, call or text a loved one for a ride (and return the favour when it’s your turn), take a cab, bus, rideshare or designated driving service and stay the night if its is not possible to go home.”
