SGI was recently recognized with a national award for its efforts to stop impaired drivers.

MADD Canada has chosen SGI to receive its 2021 Citizen of Distinction Award. The award is presented annually to those that have made a major contribution to the anti-drinking and driving movement in Canada.

Tyler McMurchy, Manager of Media Relations for SGI provides more details on the award.

"My understanding is to qualify for this award, the individual or group or organization should belong to one or more of the following categories. Research, prevention and or education, legal issues and victims issues."

McMurchy adds that we are still seeing significant human costs as impaired driving is still the number one killer of people on Saskatchewan roads, however, he says we have also seen significant improvement when it comes to impaired driving in the province over the past decade. 

According to McMurchy, in 2020 the number of people that lost their lives due to impaired driving was 36 and while we can't downplay or disregard that number, it does represent a 35% drop from the numbers over the previous decade. We are seeing far fewer injuries as a result of impaired driving with a 31% drop in 2020 over the average of the previous decade. 

"We are seeing fewer people killed and hurt but the number isn't zero yet and when we are talking about something that is 100% preventable like impaired driving that is our target, says McMurchy. 

McMurchy reflects on what it means to win the award.

"It's a tremendous honor for SGI, it's a recognition of the work that has been done in the province not just by SGI but by a number of partners like MADD, SADD, law enforcement, government, and a number of other organizations that we work with to reduce the human cost of impaired driving here in Saskatchewan."

McMurchy adds that they really appreciate the partnership that they have with MADD as they have worked with them on a number of initiatives to bring awareness to the issue of impaired driving. He adds that both organizations share the same goal of making our roads safer for everyone.