PLEA gratefully acknowledges our primary core funder the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan for their continuing and generous support of our organization.
Choosing to drive after drinking or using drugs can have serious consequences. It may start a chain of events that can have long lasting and life altering impacts for you, your passengers and others. No one gets behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs with a plan to injure others. However, every day people are injured or killed by someone impaired by drugs or alcohol.
It is important not to be impaired if you intend to drive any motorized vehicle. This includes cars, boats, snowmobiles, ATVs, or motorcycles. You can become impaired by drinking alcohol or using certain drugs. Check the label on prescription or over-the-counter medications before taking them so that you can make an informed decision about driving.
Plan a safe ride. This could mean using public transportation, a taxi service, or car service that gets you and your vehicle home safely. If you are going out as part of a group, someone may agree to be the designated driver. You could also make plans with a friend or family member that agrees to pick you up if you are in a bind.
Many communities all over Saskatchewan are part of the Report Impaired Drivers (RID) program. This program encourages the public to pull over and call 911 if they see a driver they suspect is impaired.
When it comes to mixing alcohol or drugs with driving, the stakes are high for everyone involved. Careful consideration of all the consequences is required. Do not drive if you have been drinking or using drugs. Do not be a passenger in a vehicle if you think the driver may be impaired. If you think you see an impaired driver, call 911.
Possible consequences for people that choose to drive after taking drugs or consuming alcohol include:
Provincial laws, in addition to the Criminal Code, deal with drunk and drugged driving. They allow for the suspension of driving privileges, vehicle impoundment, and more.
The Criminal Code includes offences dealing with both drunk and drugged driving, as well as impaired driving and driving while disqualified.
From roadside screening to breathalyser tests, blood, saliva and urine samples, the police have many options for detecting drunk or drugged driving.
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