April’s Traffic Safety Spotlight with SGI is focusing on impaired driving in new drivers. 

That’s according to Tyler McMurchy, spokesperson with SGI. “We want to remind the public, and new drivers especially - If you are a Novice driver, a Learner, or if you’re under the age of 22, don’t take cannabis, don’t drink any alcohol and then drive.” 

Violating the zero-tolerance policy as a new driver comes with many consequences, including receiving four demerits, incurring a 60-day licence suspension with a 3-day vehicle impoundment, and attending mandatory classes.  

McMurchy said that last year saw an excessive number of new drivers in their impaired driving suspension statistics. “In 2023, more than one third of all impaired driving administrative suspensions were issued to new drivers.” 

“That is disproportionate, because they only make up about 9 per cent of the licensed drivers in Saskatchewan.” 

982 new drivers ended up with impaired driving licence suspensions in 2023. 

As of April 1, 2024, RCMP across Saskatchewan have been conducting Mandatory Alcohol Screenings during all traffic stops, without a requirement of reasonable suspicion.  

While there is zero tolerance for new drivers, there are also consequences for experienced drivers. Drivers who are no longer in the Graduated Driver Licensing program and who are also over 22 years old must have a Blood Alcohol Concentration below .04 to avoid consequences for driving impaired.

“We want to keep people safe and keep them out of trouble, and the best way to do that is to make sure that you don’t drive after you’ve been consuming alcohol or drugs.” 

 

SGI also released the Saskatchewan statistics for February’s Traffic Safety Spotlight, which found: 

-449 offences for impaired driving 

-440 tickets issued for driving while distracted (with 372 of those being for cellphone use) 

-245 tickets issued for not having proper driving restraints  

-3,694 tickets issued for speeding or driving aggressively.