Sask. police forces begin traffic blitz to crack down on day-drinkers

Those driving around Saskatchewan might notice a few more checkstops during daylight hours.

That’s because various police forces across Saskatchewan will look to crack down on people who might be day-drinking and driving home from a friend’s place or a bar.

According to the province, 35 per cent of Saskatchewan’s impaired driving collisions happen between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

This week, police in Saskatoon began a two-day enforcement blitz in various busy areas.

SGI’s Tyler McMurchy said the main goal is to ensure people are getting home safely.

“It’s not just a nighttime thing and that’s what we want people to think about,” said McMurchy. “If they’re going to be hitting up a patio, doing yardwork and enjoying some drinks, we just want to make sure you have a plan to have a safe ride home.”

According to McMurchy, this type of blitz has been going on for a number of years and the plan is to do six of these throughout the summer months.

“This is going to be a highly visible reminder that traffic enforcement is strong in this province,” he explained. “If someone is rolling through one of these spots and smells like cannabis or has been drinking, they can expect to be given a roadside test and face the consequences of those actions.”

McMurchy noted again that if people are drinking, they should call a designated driver or take a taxi or bus to get home safely rather than putting themselves at risk of future problems.