(File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Impaired Driving

Prince Albert drivers behaving badly; impaired driving incidents on the rise

Apr 24, 2020 | 12:01 PM

A 22-year-old man has received a $1,500 fine and a one year driving prohibition, after getting caught behind the wheel while impaired. The man’s registered blood alcohol content (BAC) was .12, one-and-a- half times the legal limit.

The man was arrested in the early morning hours of March 11 in Prince Albert’s Cornerstone shopping area, and was sentenced Thursday at Prince Albert Provincial Court. According to the statement of facts read in court, the man had consumed nine drinks, but told police he was not driving. Judge T. Healey noted while no one was physically hurt, the incident and the charges could have been far more serious.

“Drinking and driving is too common in Saskatchewan, and it’s simply not acceptable,” he said.

The incident appears to reflect a troubling trend in the city this year. According to statistics provided at this week’s Board of Police Commissioners meeting, there were 31 reported incidents in the city related to people driving impaired from Jan. 1st to March 31st. This represented a 47-per-cent increase from the same period in 2019.

Robyn Keays, President of the Prince Albert MADD Chapter told paNOW she was not surprised by the increase in incidents and explained as a result of the COVID-19 protocols, the MADD Chapter has been forced to stop all scheduled events which includes roadside check stops.

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“Maybe getting people are saying hey you know what, I can have a few and drive home. It’s hard to say what people are thinking at this time,” she said.

Keays said another reason for the increase may just be that since there are fewer vehicles on the road, and so it’s easier for the authorities to isolate and catch the impaired drivers.

Camryn Corrigal is one of the founding members of the Sober House project and told paNOW he was not surprised when he heard the numbers.

“I feel like it’s the shear boredom that’s causing people to just kind of say heck with it,” he said.

The Sober House Project was created roughly two-and-a-half years ago, and helps raise awareness about the dangers associated with alcohol abuse. The initiative also helps provide a safe place for people to turn to who need support. Homes that have self-identified as alcohol free, have posted a sign in their window identifying them as such. To date, over 100 signs have been distributed in Prince Albert.

“We want to do more presentations and have different get togethers but can’t really get together at the moment,” Corigal said.

DWI courses postponed

Individuals who are convicted of an impaired driving charge, are subject to a mandatory course, before being eligible to get their license back. As a result of the COVID-19 protocols, all Driving Without Impairment and Alcohol and Drug Education courses have been temporarily paused.

According to SGI’s COVID-19 website, individuals who have recently been convicted of a Criminal Code conviction, may be granted a period of time to complete the mandatory education program, depending on the situation.

The individuals may also be eligible for early reinstatement of driving privileges prior to finishing the mandatory education program. If they are required to participate in an Ignition Interlock Program, they will only be able to get a restricted licence with confirmation that an ignition interlock device has been installed in their vehicle.

Extensions have only been given to individuals who were enrolled in a cancelled course, had a course deadline date on or after March 15, 2020.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell