More people using Operation Red Nose in Sask.
CBC News | Posted: January 3, 2017 5:28 PM | Last Updated: January 4, 2017
1,100 people used volunteer-based safe ride service across province during holidays
More Saskatchewan residents are using Operation Red Nose as a safe way to get home over the holidays — and police say it's having an effect on impaired driving charges.
For the eighth year in a row, residents of the province's largest cities have volunteered to drive impaired people home.
More than 600 volunteers donated their time this holiday season, driving 1,166 people home. Last season, 929 people used the service.
Operation Red Nose currently operates in Saskatoon, Regina, North Battleford and Prince Albert. It is offered through SGI.
On Tuesday, the Regina Police Service reported only one impaired driver was charged in the city on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. In a press release, it credited services like Operation Red Nose for helping residents to get home safe.
High rate of drunk driving
Statistics Canada says Saskatchewan had the highest rate of police-reported impaired driving among the provinces in 2015. There were 575 incidents per 100,000 people in Saskatchewan — nearly twice as high as Alberta's 314 per 100,000, the province with the second-highest rate.
The provincial government has recently brought in tougher impaired driving laws. Under the changes, experienced drivers found to have .04 to .08 per cent alcohol in their blood (BAC) on a first offence will have their vehicles seized and impounded for three days.
"People have an understanding that when they drive impaired it's at the .08 BAC level," said Wendell Waldron with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
Waldron added that SGI metrics for Saskatchewan show that 39 per cent of impaired accidents happen at the .04 to .08 blood-alcohol level.
"You don't have to have much in your system to be impaired," he said.
The age at which there is zero tolerance for alcohol or drugs is being raised. There is an automatic 60-day licence suspension for drivers under the age of 21, as well as all new drivers, when they are caught with any alcohol in their system.
"Unfortunately the metrics say that 16- to 24-year-olds is our highest risk group," said Waldron.
"We have to do a better job of reaching them, and speaking their language, and helping them understand that it doesn't make sense to have the one or two drinks then drive."
Waldron said that despite the new laws, there is still room for improvement. He said he would like to see an immediate roadside prohibition at the .08 blood-alcohol level, and more involvement in teaching licensed establishments best practices for serving alcohol.
Saskatoon charges for the holiday period
Two people were charged with impaired driving for having a blood-alcohol level higher than .08 during four holiday traffic stops in Saskatoon.
Police stopped more than 2,800 vehicles between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. on Dec. 17, 21, 30 and 31.
- Seven people were slapped with 72-hour driving suspensions for having a blood-alcohol concentration between .04 and .08.
- Two people were charged for refusing to take a breath test.
- Eight drivers had their vehicles impounded for impaired driving.
- Five people were dealt penalties for driving while suspended.
- Three tickets were issued for having liquor inside a vehicle.