ESTEVAN - Every April, the Estevan Police Service traditionally focuses on battling impaired driving, which despite constant efforts, remains a very serious issue in Saskatchewan.
Estevan Police Chief Richard Lowen said they are joining other agencies across the province to once again remind the public that driving under impairment is never a good choice.
"We're focusing on impaired driving enforcement for the month of April," Lowen said. "People have to realize that impaired driving is responsible for more deaths in Saskatchewan than any other factor on the roads."
In 2021, there were 89 charges for impairment by alcohol and 26 impaired by drug charges laid in Estevan alone.
"One [charge] is too many, and when you get multiple people charged, that's [way] too many," Lowen said.
The EPS is seeing an increase in impaired by drugs cases, which is potentially happening due to several reasons. Lowen noted that first, it has to do with the legalization of some drugs. But the tendency is also occurring because of the improvements in officers' abilities to detect drivers impaired by drugs, along with the development of the equipment used to detect drug impairment.
Lowen also pointed out that the first couple of months of 2022 might not be a good indicator of a general picture, as they were still marked by some COVID-related restrictions. The situation may change now that things are getting back to normal, and with more public events already filling the calendar, the statistics might go up again. But Lowen said the hope is that people will stick to good choices.
"When things start to open, we have to realize that we have to make those choices, to choose the designated driver, take a cab or find another way or stay the night," Lowen said.
Since the beginning of April, the EPS along with other agencies across the province has been running their check stop programs. The community will see more check stops throughout the month. The first one was conducted on April 1 and it included positive ticketing, in which one lucky driver received a $75 gift card to one of the local businesses as a thank you for driving sober.
Lowen said that awareness campaigns are another good measure when it comes to cracking down on impaired driving.
"We have to get the message out to everybody so that they make the choices. And our check stop program is also very important to let people know that we're out, we're watching and we're trying to keep the roads safe," Lowen said.
"Always plan a safe ride home. Make a good choice and keep yourself safe. Keep everyone on the road safe. Don't drive if you've been drinking or using drugs or if you're even fatigued, impaired is impaired. Make a good choice on the road," Lowen addressed to the public.
