The Report Impaired Drivers program and the Weyburn Police Service were at work yesterday.

Two reports of two possible impaired drivers resulted in two stops, and one arrest. A 22-year-old woman was charged with driving over 0.08, driving while prohibited, and obstructing a police officer. Earlier in the evening, a 70 year old man received a three day suspension and had his car impounded after the police received numerous reports of an erratic driver.

Report Impaired Drivers (RID) is a road safety program that encourages the public to call 911 to report a suspected impaired driver. The program is a partnership led by SGI, the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority and various law enforcement agencies across the province, with support from Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Students Against Drinking and Driving.

RID began as a pilot program in Saskatoon in March 2010, expanded to Regina in September 2010, to Moose Jaw and Prince Albert in March 2011 and to Weyburn and Estevan in September 2011. It expanded province-wide in November 2011.

SGI advises the public to follow these steps if they see a driver they suspect is impaired:

  • pull over and call 911
  • state the location
  • report which direction the vehicle is travelling
  • describe the vehicle as best you can: colour, make, model and licence plate number
  • describe what type of driving behaviour is being exhibited
  • provide a description of the driver if you can
  • One call is all it takes to help increase road safety in your community.

Saskatchewan has had one of the highest impaired driving rates in the nation for years.