Saskatchewan RCMP conduct an impaired driving blitz. (Derek Cornet/Western Buzz)

By Derek Cornet

POLICE WORK

Drug-related impaired driving suspensions skyrocket in Saskatchewan

Apr 10, 2023 | 9:21 AM

The number of drug-related driver’s licence suspensions in Saskatchewan has skyrocketed since 2019.

That’s according to data provided to the Western Buzz from Saskatchewan Government Insurance. It shows the number of all drug-related licence suspensions in the province go from 78 in 2019 to 859 in 2022. In 2020, there were 202 suspensions and in 2021 there were 542.

In 2022, there were 532 experienced drivers (22 or older, aren’t in a Graduated Driver’s Licence program, and Class 5 or higher) and 304 new drivers suspended because of drug impairment.

The number of drug-related licence suspensions in Saskatchewan. (SGI)

“Our suspension data does not differentiate by type of drug, but these numbers do not include alcohol-related suspensions,” an email from SGI stated. “These suspensions may have resulted from either a federally-approved drug screening device, a Standardized Field Sobriety Test or an evaluation by a drug recognition expert.”

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According to SGI, the existing scientific evidence does not provide general guidance to drivers about how much cannabis can be consumed before it is unsafe to drive, or how long a driver should wait to drive after consuming cannabis. Health Canada states, in some cases, impairment can last up to 24 hours.

In Saskatchewan, there is zero tolerance for drug-impaired driving, so motorists should err on the side of caution. Research shows taking cannabis and consuming alcohol together results in faster and higher rates of impairment.

The threshold for THC on federally-approved drug screening devices is set at 25 ng in oral fluid, which is an indication of recent consumption. Such devices used by police are the SoToxa and Drager devices that determine the presence of cannabis and other drugs in a driver’s system. An officer must have reasonable suspicion that an individual has a drug in their body.

“We want to remind our customers that alcohol isn’t the only substance that can impair a person’s driving ability,” the email noted. “Drug use, whether it’s illegal, prescription or over-the-counter drugs, can also impair one’s ability to drive. SGI wants to raise awareness of this fact, so customers can make an educated, informed and safe choice.”

Mother’s Against Drunk Driving legal director Eric Dumschat also acknowledged rates of drug-impaired driving are up. He said drug-impaired driving has always been a problem, but he added police now have the tools to detect it.

“Police didn’t necessarily have the tools they needed until 2008 with the introduction of the Standardized Field Sobriety Test,” Dumschat explained. “They got the use of the oral fluid drug testing in 2018 with Bill C-46. Some of the increase in rates may be because more people are smoking cannabis, and some of it may be because police are able to detect it more easily. It’s hard to say.”

MADD Canada provides education materials for both alcohol and cannabis impairment, and they have a partnership with SGI. He mentioned individuals should wait several hours before driving but cautioned it is up to them to know when they are no longer impaired.

“If you are going to drink alcohol, if you are going to consume cannabis, don’t make your private act a public act by getting behind the wheel of a car or motor vehicle while impaired,” Dumschat said. “Plan ahead, designate a driver, sleep at a friend’s house, walk if you can, take a Uber or a Lyft. There are many ways to avoid impaired driving.”