(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Safer communities

Smashed Car campaign returns to Prince Albert

May 16, 2024 | 2:00 PM

The sight of a vehicle overturned on its roof is a shocking visual that brings awareness to the dangers of impaired driving.

The comment by Karen Anthony-Burns was made during a special event on Thursday, marking the return of the “Smashed Car Campaign”

The program, which runs for the next two months, is a partnership between MADD Prince Albert, Prince Albert Police Service, SGI and the Ministry of Highways. Anthony-Burns told paNOW she feels they are making a difference.

“Like our grandchildren are getting older now and when we talk to them about what they and their friends are doing, there is certainly much more of an awareness of not getting behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking and making sure you have that designated driver,” she said.

Representatives from the Prince Albert Fire Dept, Parkland Ambulance, Prince Albert MADD, Beau Lac Funeral Home and Prince Albert Police Service, pose for a group photo. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

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This year there are two locations in Prince Albert, one near the RCMP detachment on Highway 2 north, and another on the highway towards Nipawin. Anthony-Burns hopes to attract the attention of those travelling to the lake.

“You know when we say don’t drive impaired, MADD is talking about driving impaired whether it’s a boat, whether you’re off-roading, or whether you are driving a snowmobile in the winter,’ she said.

Anthony Burns also noted with grad season around the corner, they are encouraging parents, aunts and uncles, to be a designated driver.

“Always make that plan before you go out,” she added.

By the end of April this year, 35 impaired driving charges were laid by the Prince Albert Police Service. This compared to 25 for the same period last year.

In 2023, there were 41 locations in Prince Albert where officers pulled someone over and criminally charged them for impaired driving.

Insp. Craig Mushka addresses the crowd. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Also in attendance during Thursday’s event were members of the fire department, Parkland Ambulance and Prince Albert police service. Inspector Craig Mushka noted impaired driving still has a big impact on communities and families.

“Even one [occurrence] is far too often,” he said.

Last year, Sask RCMP charged more than 1,700 individuals with impaired driving, more than five a day – and more than one-third of all fatal collisions involve alcohol.

MADD Canada’s website states that for every hour in Canada, an average of nine federal charges and provincial short-term license suspensions are laid for alcohol or impaired driving.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell