MADD encourages safety amid Mosaic Stadium tailgating talks

Rider fans might be able to tailgate outside of Mosaic Stadium in the near future, but that doesn’t mean safety should take a backseat.

That’s according to Tanya Hansen-Pratt, national president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada (MADD). “I think with anything where there’s public consumption of alcohol, we really need to make sure that people are doing this responsibly and that we know that there’s access to safe transportation,” Hansen-Pratt told 980 CJME on Friday.

Read more:

“Whether that’s public transportation, like buses; or taxis, (and) ride share programs to make sure that people can get home safely. Even making sure there’s something like, perhaps, a designated driver program in place.”

Hansen-Pratt also said Mosaic Stadium can do its part by using signage to discourage people from overconsuming, driving impaired or drinking underage.

“Obviously, there’s always that concern when we’re having tailgate parties, that people may drive their own vehicles home after they’ve been consuming alcohol. So we want to make sure that other options are available for people, so that they don’t make the wrong choice,” she said.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders informed season ticket holders that the club is currently in talks with the provincial government to allow for legal tailgating outside of Mosaic as early as next season.

Craig Reynolds, president and CEO of the Roughriders, said season ticket members would have first access to tailgate spaces if the move goes through.

“We are actively exploring the Roughriders’ request to develop a regulated framework for tailgating at Mosaic Stadium for Saskatchewan Roughriders games,” Reynolds wrote in an email.

“This involves a number of considerations including ensuring public safety, which is a top priority. Any potential framework would require support from and close collaboration with the City of Regina for these events.”

Saskatchewan often finds itself among the provinces with the highest impaired driving rates – with 414 incidents per 100,000 people recorded in 2023.

“I think we need to take the same precautions everywhere when we’re engaging in risky behaviour. So, certainly having a tailgate party is risky behaviour because we’re increasing the possibility that someone could drive impaired,” Hansen-Pratt said.

Read more:

– with files from 980 CJME’s Abby Zieverink