Working Draft for:
Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday Nov 3rd, 2016 8:35 am
With GX94's Craig Wallebeck > see him @
http://www.gx94radio.com/craig-Wallebeck
This week we focus on: Taking action to combat impaired driving in our communities
"Government is taking action against impaired driving through effective legislation, more tools for law enforcement, and doing more to build awareness.
“Drinking and driving has taken far too many lives in this province and people need to get the message that it is never acceptable, period,” Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Government Insurance Joe Hargrave said. “Our government is committed to reducing the number of lives lost and people injured due to impaired driving.”
Saskatchewan has the highest rate, per capita, of impaired driving fatalities in Canada. In 2015* in Saskatchewan, there were nearly 1,200 impaired driving collisions, killing 53 people and injuring 578 others.
Amendments to The Traffic Safety Act will be introduced this fall to:
- Add a three-day vehicle seizure for experienced drivers who are charged for the first time with having a blood alcohol content (BAC) over .04;
- Apply zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol to drivers 21 and under; and
- Strengthen ignition interlock laws to be the most effective in Canada, by extending mandatory ignition interlock to drivers who register a BAC over .16 or refuse to provide a breath sample (1st offence - two years; 2nd offence - five years; 3rd and subsequent offence - 10 years).
“These amendments build on changes the province made in 2014 to strengthen impaired driving laws,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Gordon Wyant said. “Once passed, Saskatchewan will join Alberta and British Columbia in having some of the most effective impaired driving legislation in Canada. Our government also continues to explore other avenues to bring down the number of impaired driving deaths and injuries in the province, including closer examination of the full B.C. model.”
If approved, changes will take effect January 1, 2017.
“We support these changes,” MADD Canada CEO Andrew Murie said. “MADD is happy to see Saskatchewan strengthening consequences for people who continue to drive impaired. Alberta and B.C. experienced significant decreases in impaired driving fatalities after implementing vehicle seizures for low BAC drivers. We’re confident this measure will also save lives in Saskatchewan.”
Government is also further supporting law enforcement efforts through more tools and funding.
SGI will invest $800,000 in 32 more Automated Licence Plate Readers (ALPRs) to help police catch disqualified drivers. This brings the total to 47 ALPRs, enough to equip all vehicles in the Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan pilot. This pilot dedicates 60 officers to traffic safety enforcement, targeting problematic roadways and intersections in the central and southeast regions of the province, with a focus on impaired driving, distracted driving and speeding.
SGI is also providing $500,000 for law enforcement to increase check stops targeting impaired driving.
“We know that if drivers perceive their risk of being caught impaired as being higher, they’re more likely to change their behaviour,” Hargrave said. “Having police checking drivers is a way to do that. Knowing there will be
more police check stops provides that extra motivation for people to plan a safe and sober ride ahead of time.”
“I have watched this process unfold, and I can say that government was very serious about making sound and impactful change,” active advocate against drinking and driving Allan Kerpan, whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver in 2014 said. “With this game changing legislation, the government can take great credit in knowing they are saving lives in Saskatchewan.”
SGI is also supporting drivers in changing behaviour by raising awareness of impaired driving consequences through multi-media advertising campaigns and social media channels. Campaigns are underway now and will continue into 2017 and beyond.
To combat distracted driving, and in response to recommendations from law enforcement, government is also strengthening cellphone legislation by changing the offence to “holding, viewing, using or manipulating” a mobile device while driving, instead of the current “using” a mobile device.
“While The Traffic Safety Act is open to strengthen impaired driving consequences, it made sense to make this change to cellphone legislation at the same time,” Hargrave said. “We need to make it clear to drivers that using a cellphone while driving is not acceptable – the distraction simply isn’t worth the risk.”
*2015 data is preliminary and will change as investigations are ongoing and SGI receives additional police and coroner reports. These figures reflect information that is known to SGI as of October 11, 2016"
Government is taking action to combat impaired driving. Enforcement and awareness.
What actions can you take to combat impaired driving? Be aware and talk about it.
What actions can we take as a community? Be aware and plan for it. (events we hold)
Impaired Driving Backgrounder
http://mayorharris.blogspot.ca/
Events:
- Nov 6th - Flu Clinic from 10 am - 6 pm at Club 60, another one on December 13th.
- Nov 4th - Potluck Supper at Endeavour School runs from 4:30 - 7:00 pm. Proceeds to the Hospital Fund for recruitment and retention.
- Nov 13th - Sunday at the Hazel Dell Rec Centre - Fall Supper with silent auction, door prizes and raffle table. Runs from 5 to 7 pm Adults $12, ages 6 to 12 $5 and pre school free.
- Nov 14th - Figure skating will be starting this week. General skating hours are Saturday's and Sunday's from 12-2 pm and shinny to follow from 2-4. This hours are subject ot change depending on hockey schedule. Please contact Andrea at 547-7892 or Shannon at 547-9107 for more information.
- Nov 16th - Whitehawk Arts Council presents THE LION, THE BEAR, THE FOX - The Lion, the Bear, the Lion demonstrates an uncompromising devotion to their chosen craft. Stompy blues, rock grooves can suddenly give way to hushed folk passages woven together by three whispers speaking as one - That's Nov 16th, 7:30pm at the Sturgis Community Hall.
Nov 19th - Benefit Potluck & Beef Supper for Carol (Kozloski) Gibb from 5 - 7 pm at the Preeceville Town Hall. $10/person, children 5 & under FREE. Silent Auction, free will offerings are also graciously accepted. Everyone Welcome
- Nov 24th - Preeceville and District Lioness Club with be hosting a Turkey Bingo, Preeceville Community Legion Hall, doors open a 6 pm, bingo starts at 7 pm
- Nov 27th - Dramatic Reading - Dickens "A Christmas Carol" Free will offering to Filling the Gap "Christmas Hamper Program", The Family Resource Centre. 7:00 pm at the Trinity United Church.
- And as always if you wish to have an event promoted visit and post it to our Community Events Calendar at
www.townofPreeceville.ca
- CANADA 150 CELEBRATION - PREECEVILLE Strong, Proud and Free
In 2017, Canada will mark the 150th Anniversary of Confederation. Preeceville Celebration will be August 4th, 5th and 6th, 2017. Watch for details as they become available.
Canada’s 150th website:
http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1342792785740/1342793251811
Follow the Mayor on the town site at
http://www.townofpreeceville.ca/default.aspx?page=65&cid=6 follow me on blogspot at
http://mayorharris.blogspot.ca/
follow me on facebook @
https://www.facebook.com/mayorgarthharrisfollow me on twitter @
https://twitter.com/MayorGartharris
follow me on google+ @
https://plus.google.com/u/0/102741942183606627948?tab=wX#102741942183606627948/posts
follow me on youtube @
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKyA9eN2gdku8lGSo0WPRWw follow me on instagram @
http://instagram.com/garthrharris
