(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Planning for a safe ride home

Taxi coupons aim to reduce holiday impaired driving

Dec 11, 2020 | 2:35 PM

The P.A. Community Alcohol Strategy Steering Committee is doubling the number of cab coupons available this this holiday season as part of an annual initiative to reduce impaired driving.

Co-ordinator Karen Anthony-Burns told paNOW the increase is in response to the suspension of the popular ride service, Operation Red Nose due to COVID-19.

Even though there may be less people gathering at bars this year, impaired driving is still occurring, Burns said.

“People are purchasing alcohol and drinking at home and still going from point A to point B,” she said. “We know there are still impaired charges occurring in our city.”

For anyone who intends on drinking, Burns emphasized the importance of planning a safe ride home. The $10 cab coupons, she continued, can help people do that.

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“If you’ve been somewhere drinking and you need to get home, you can phone the cab company and let them know you want to use one of those coupons,” she said.

Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) reports between Dec. 1, 2019 and Jan. 3, 2020, two people were killed, and 30 people injured as a result of impaired driving-related collisions in the province.

How to use a coupon

In total, 400 coupons are available, with 200 each for Grey Cab and Checker/Family Taxi. They’re valid between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. until January 31, 2021.

The Prince Albert Police Service will distribute half the coupons to local licensed establishments. Taxi companies will have the remainder. Let your cab driver know that you want to use a cab coupon when you phone to book a ride.

The cab coupon initiative is a partnership between the Prince Albert and Area Community Alcohol Strategy Steering Committee, SGI, Northern Lights Community Development Corporation, Grey Cab and Checker/Family Taxi.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom