Wood file: Canada can lose occasionally and still be No. 1
Canada was snakebit in the gold medal hockey game, and sometimes, even when you dominate the other team, you come up sho...
President of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Saskatoon Bonny Stevenson says drunk driving is not accidental – it’s entirely preventable.
The victims advocacy organization called the Saskatoon police’s mandatory alcohol screening initiative an “amazing” way to catch impaired drivers and keep loved ones safe.
Read more:
- Saskatoon cops to begin mandatory alcohol screening starting Jan. 1
- Mandatory alcohol screening by police sparks debate in Saskatchewan
- A year of ‘highs and lows’: Saskatoon Mayor Cynthia Block looks back on 2025
Starting Jan. 1, officers will begin demanding a breath sample from drivers who are stopped on the roads regardless of suspected impairment.
According to the Saskatoon Police Service, officers have had this authority since the amendment of the Criminal Code in 2018. Last year, both the Saskatchewan RCMP and Regina Police Service implemented mandatory alcohol screening.
Stevenson said the mandatory screening is an opportunity to get impaired drivers off the road. She spoke with a seasoned officer, who at first did not see it as a big concern because he believed he could recognize when someone was impaired.
“He was actually very surprised by some of the people that showed up as impaired when he would have never suspected them,” she said. “That really stuck with me.”
Stevenson said the community shouldn’t be affected by the new initiative, as a sobriety check only takes about two minutes after being pulled over.
“If you’re not drinking and driving there’s no issue.”
However, Stevenson suspects there will be some pushback from the public questioning the legality of mandatory alcohol screening.
Stevenson lost her 17-year-old son to a drunk driving accident back in 2013 and said that loss has impacted every aspect of her life.
“I think each and every one of us involved with MADD would tell you that our goal is to never let that happen to another family,” she said. “Our goal is to make sure everyone is getting home safe.”
With New Year’s Eve approaching Stevenson reminds the community to plan a safe ride home – no matter what.
Stevenson said people are increasingly aware of impaired drivers on the road, especially around the holidays, which can make individuals feel uneasy even when they are not drinking.
She also shared an example of an upcoming New Year’s Eve wedding where a couple getting married had booked a shuttle and are offering non-alcoholic options at the venue.
“It’s just a simple reminder there’s just no reason to get behind the wheel if you’re impaired,” Stevenson said.
