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The Government of Saskatchewan says it is beginning to implement administrative penalties in an effort to curb impaired driving.
Potential changes to The Traffic Safety Act are being considered, and the province said the updates would result in stronger and more immediate repercussions after failed roadside breath tests in an effort to hold impaired drivers to account and remove them from Saskatchewan roads.
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The government said the proposed changes come as part of its “ongoing commitment to strengthen road safety across the province.”
When someone fails a roadside breath test, the potential changes would lead to various administrative consequences that would take effect immediately, including the suspension of the driver’s license, impoundment of their vehicle, a requirement for ignition interlock, mandatory education courses and safe-driver recognition penalties in the form of demerit points and financial costs.
New, immediate financial penalties are also being considered, with drivers who fail a roadside breath test potentially facing a $1,000 fine and a 30 per cent victim surcharge for a first offence. Second and subsequent offences would result in a $2,000 fine and a 30 per cent victim surcharge if the changes are passed.
“Our government continues to strengthen Saskatchewan’s response to impaired driving by making consequences more immediate, certain and effective,” said Tim McLeod, the province’s justice minister and attorney general, said in a statement.
“The changes we are moving towards would give police an additional tool to act quickly at the roadside, while preserving their discretion to proceed with Criminal Code charges in serious cases or whenever criminal prosecution is warranted. This approach supports public safety, helps reduce unnecessary pressure on the justice system and allows police, prosecutors and courts to focus resources where they are needed most.”
Travis Keisig, legislative secretary to the minister responsible for SGI, said the ministry is grateful to the Impaired Driving Advisory Committee and other partners for their work helping shape this approach, which he said “represents an important step towards reducing impaired driving and protecting people in Saskatchewan.”
Keisig said impaired driving remains one of the leading causes of serious crashes in Saskatchewan, and the province has some of the highest rates of alcohol-impaired driving in the country.
“That must change,” he said.
The province said impaired driving offences resulting in death, injuries, property damage or involving passengers under 16 will still result in Criminal Code charges, and drivers who refuse to provide a breath sample will also face criminal penalties.
Steve Sullivan, CEO of MADD Canada, said administrative penalties are an effective way to reduce impaired driving.
“They empower police to remove more impaired drivers from the roads and provide immediate sanctions to hold drivers accountable,” he said. “We applaud the Saskatchewan government taking this important step to strengthen impaired driving laws, protect the public and reduce the burden on the justice system.”
The government said both the Saskatoon Police Service and the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police are in favour of stronger administrative penalties as a tool for law enforcement to use when dealing with impaired driving incidents.
“One of the greatest deterrents for law enforcement is not simply the severity of a penalty, but the certainty and immediacy of it,” said Patrick Nogier, president of the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police.
“Administrative penalties allow officers to impose consequences in real-time, rather than months later, while maintaining criminal investigations and prosecutions where circumstances require it. This strengthens the overall response to impaired driving in Saskatchewan and should serve notice to those thinking of drinking and driving.”
