â–º Listen Live

Sask. Introduces Legislation For Tougher Penalties for Those Driving Impaired With Children in Vehicle

Under the Traffic Safety Amendment Act drivers with a blood alcohol content of .04 or higher who have children in their vehicle will face longer roadside licence suspensions and vehicle seizures. The legislation was introduced earlier this week.

A seven-day driving suspension will be handed out if a person has a BAC of 0.4 or higher, refuses to undergo a field sobriety test or fails a field sobriety test while having a child under the age of 16 in the vehicle. The current penalty is a three day suspension. Licence suspensions for a second offence increase to 30 days from 21, while a third offence triggers a 120 day suspension, up from the current 90.

First-time offenders will have their vehicles seized for seven days, which is up from three.  For a second offence, the seizure is for 30 days, it was previously seven and for the third offense there is a days seizure, it was previously 14.

“Impaired driving is always a terrible choice, but willfully putting children at risk deserves additional penalties. This legislation is another tool in our government’s fight against Saskatchewan’s impaired driving problem,” says the Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Government Insurance Joe Hargrave.

MADD Chapter Services Manager for Saskatchewan Michelle Okere says the organization is supportive of the law.

“One of the things that we preach is make the choice not to get in the vehicle with an impaired driver, that’s something we talk about often times when we’re doing our school assembly programs but also in education awareness pieces. Certainly when we’re looking at younger youth with parents or guardians and things like that it tends to be an issue where choice isn’t even a question.”

She adds, “as an organization we want to stop impaired driving entirely regardless of who’s in the vehicle. We’re supportive of strengthening laws around child endangerment, because it does take the choice out of the matter for those children but certainly it comes down to stopping all impaired driving not just with children in the vehicle.”

Okere says MADD Canada will continue to work on the teaching aspects.

“While legislation is important as is enforcement, we’re also working hard to educate the public and do awareness campaigns. We’re working hard in schools to deliver the school assembly programs, talking to youth about the dangers of impaired driving both under the influence of alcohol as well as drugs.”

Other changes in the Traffic Safety Amendment Act include the extension of the look-back period for impaired driving penalties to 10 years from five, which allows SGI to administer harsher penalties for repeat offenders.

As well law enforcement will be allowed to issue an indefinite administrative suspension, which will make the roadside consequences for those charged with impaired driving under the Criminal Code the same as those charged with exceeding .08 BAC and refusing to comply with a demand, such as drawing blood, a breath sample, a Standard Field Sobriety Test or evaluation by a Drug Recognition Evaluator.

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Town of Wainwright has lowest cost of living in Alberta

Overall for 2024, on all items, Wainwright comes in at 92.5 meaning its about eight per cent cheaper to buy something in Wainwright compared to Edmonton. Lloydminster comes in at 94.6, meaning prices on average are about two per cent more expensive than Wainwright.

Road expansion for Cenovus Energy Hub begins July 15

If your regular commute takes you along 40 Avenue, from July 15 you will have to adjust that as Lloydminster road crews will lead road upgrades near the soon to be completed Cenovus Energy Hub.

Grace United cancels Sunday service following small fire

In the aftermath of the minor fire at Grace United Church, Lloydminster on Thursday July 3, Sunday service has been cancelled as the church deals with cleanup.

Lloydminster fire crews put out minor fire at Grace United Church

A minor fire at Grace United Church in downtown Lloydminster engaged the efforts of Lloydminster fire crews on Thursday, July 3.

Parade Marshals announced for Lloyd Ex

With the Lloyd Ex Fair celebrating 120 years, the prestigious role of the Parade Marshals to herald the start of the summer festival are Terence Bexson of Marshall and Lyle & Alison Lee of Lloydminster.
- Advertisement -