Saskatchewan Government Insurance says over the last five years a total of 172 people have been killed in impaired driving collisions on Saskatchewan roads. In 60 of those accidents, people were also not wearing seatbelts or were not properly restrained in the vehicle.

June’s Traffic Safety Spotlight is about making good decisions. SGI reminds drivers to always drive sober, plan a safe ride if you aren’t going to be sober, buckle up, never get into a vehicle with an impaired driver, help impaired friends find a way home or let them stay the night, and call 9-1-1 to report suspected impaired drivers.

SGI’s Vice-President of Traffic Safety says driving impaired is dangerous and not wearing a seatbelt is reckless but where you find one, you often find the other.

Kwei Quaye  says, “The combination significantly compounds the risk of a bad outcome, because driving impaired greatly increases the chance you’ll be in a crash and being unbelted increases the chance the crash will kill you.”

Being caught driving impaired could lead to licence suspensions, vehicle impoundments, financial penalties, driver education, a requirement to install and use Ignition Interlock, and the potential for a criminal record and incarceration. A ticket for not wearing a seatbelt costs $175, plus three demerit points.