The focus on road safety, especially the elimination of impaired drivers, took a major step forward on Wednesday morning when Estevan welcomed the Report Impaired Drivers (RID) program.
The program, which is basic in nature, simply encourages the public to call 911 when they see a driver they suspect is impaired.
The program is whole heartedly welcomed by Estevan police Chief Del Block and members of the Estevan Board of Police Commissioners as well as officials from Saskatchewan Government Insurance and local chapters of Students Against Driving and Driving (SADD) and Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD).
In fact, Denise Dubyk of Calgary, president of the Canadian arm of MADD, was in Estevan to help launch the program. She said she's been a MADD member for 10 years and has seen marginal improvements in the enforcement of impaired driving infractions.
"There are differences in looking at charges, in convictions, and then the attitudes of the public," said Dubyk. "But it still happens every day. We have a long way to go but people, the ordinary public, are now beginning to listen to the message. Of course it gets frustrating when you see or hear about impaired people getting behind the wheel, you shake your head and just plug along, hoping that things will eventually improve a bit more."
Block said the RID signs will be put up around the city this week and the signs will also be evident in the rural areas where the program will be introduced and rolled out in co-operation with RCMP detachment members throughout the province.
"RID is a Saskatchewan program that has been adopted by other provinces in Western Canada," said Vic Pankratz of SGI, the manager of traffic, safety enforcement program who was also present at the Estevan unveiling that took place on the lawn in front of the Estevan Police Service headquarters. This fact was confirmed by Dubynk, who was present for the unveiling of the program in her home city just recently.
"Drinking and driving is the number one cause of fatal crashes in Saskatchewan," said Kwei Quaye, assistant vice-president of traffic safety services at SGI, who was emcee for the short program that preceded the unveiling of the program and supporting posters.
"The RID empowers the public to help law enforcement find impaired drivers, so they can be removed from our roads. With a whole city on the lookout for anyone driving under the influence, impaired drivers may think twice about getting behind the wheel," Quaye said.
The first RID program was introduced in Saskatoon in March 2010 and expanded to Regina last September and then on to Moose Jaw and Prince Albert this March and now into Estevan and Weyburn as of last week.
The RID calls have led to more than 270 charges being laid against impaired drivers, said Quaye. The police have also sent warnings to more than 1,900 vehicle owners, advising them their vehicle was reported as possibly being operated by an impaired driver.
"We've seen the number of impaired driving charges resulting from RID in other communities, and know the program can have a similar impact here in Estevan," said Block.
From January 1 to Sept. 7 of this year, Block said Estevan Police Service members had handed out 283 impaired driving charges. Of those charges, 244 were issued to men and 41 to females while only two youth were charged, which he said, indicated that the probationary driving program appeared to be working efficiently. That program has a zero tolerance for young drivers and drivers who are operating vehicles with a learner's permit.
"The number of charges we have laid for driving while impaired has been pretty consistent year-over-year, but it was down a bit this July. We'll get a better picture about the efficiency of this program by year's end," said Block.
Four members of the SADD chapter from the Estevan Comprehensive School who were on hand for the unveiling were Kyla Deitz, Mikaela Schlapkohl, Shannon Lee and Katelynn Tedford. They said they were behind the program full force and will enhance their drive against drinking and driving by students through a school-based campaign that also includes reminders that it is against the law to text or use a regular cellphone while driving as well as seat belt use and employing proper headrests in vehicles.
Estevan Mayor Gary St. Onge said reducing the number of accidents that involve impaired drivers is vital to the community.
Block said that he and his policing teams appreciated the efforts made by SGI that focus on education and bringing sponsors on board to promote other safety items such as child restraint seats and safety belt use.
"The multi-agency programs enable us to go after the offenders. The relationship means a lot to us," Block said. "Because we often have more DUI offences than city's such as Moose Jaw, we're so happy to see SADD and MADD and SGI getting the message out. Now when people ask 'how do we report impaired drivers?' well, here it is, this is how you can do it," he said, referring to the RID 911 call poster.
Quaye said there have been about 60 fatalities on Saskatchewan highways each year that were seen to be caused by impaired drivers.
"So starting today, there will be more people watching, more eyes out there to improve road safety. I expect we'll see positive results with the people of Estevan behind the program. Everyone will know about it and for those who choose to drink and then drive, well, be aware, there are people out there who will know what you're trying to do and will know how to report it."
