Saskatchewan RCMP is renewing its call for safe driving after two separate collisions this week involving impaired drivers and police vehicles.
No injuries were reported in either incident, but both police vehicles were damaged, one of them severely enough to be rendered undriveable.
The first crash occurred on May 19 in Tisdale, where RCMP officers responded to a report of an erratic driver. An officer found the vehicle parked outside a business and pulled in behind it with emergency lights activated. The vehicle reversed and struck the police cruiser. Following an investigation, an adult female driver was charged with impaired driving.
Two days later, late on May 21, a Swift Current RCMP officer was conducting a curfew check at a residence when he saw a vehicle with no lights on driving erratically. The vehicle then collided with the parked police cruiser. An adult male driver was also charged with impaired driving.
“I’ve been an RCMP officer for more than 48 years and this is a new one, two impaired drivers striking police vehicles in a matter of days,” said Supt. Grant St. Germaine, officer in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services.
“What’s not new is my frustration that some people just aren’t getting the message: impaired driving is dangerous and can lead to tragic results. Until impaired driving is eradicated, we’ll continue to use every opportunity we have to remind drivers to never get behind the wheel while impaired, whether that’s by alcohol, drug or fatigue.”
The incidents follow closely on the heels of Canada Road Safety Week, held from May 13 to 19, during which Saskatchewan RCMP and Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan partnered with municipal police agencies to ramp up enforcement.
More than 6,600 vehicles were stopped during the campaign. Police laid 41 Criminal Code charges for alcohol-related impaired driving and three for drug-related impaired driving. In addition, 59 drivers received roadside suspensions due to recent alcohol use and 67 suspensions were issued for recent drug use.
“Thirty-three people have already lost their lives on roads in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction this year. Not all of them are impaired driving-related but please, for your own safety and the safety of others on the road, make smart choices,” said St. Germaine. “If you are planning to consume alcohol or drugs, make plans for a safe ride home or stay put until you’re sober. Getting behind the wheel while impaired could be the worst, or last, mistake of your life.”