Saskatchewan

Identification of Offenders. Throughout the year, the police in Saskatchewan target impaired driving using the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) model. This provides a high-profile concentrated effort to inform the public about impaired driving as well as to enforce impaired driving laws. Approved screening devices are available for use but the calibration of the devices was recently challenged successfully in court so these devices are not presently being used.

Police in Saskatchewan also have the authority to suspend, for a period of 24 hours, the licence of any driver who registers a "warn" on an approved screening device. The BAC level for such a suspension is 60 mg%. Drivers with higher BACs who are charged under the Criminal Code are also issued 24-hour suspensions.

Criminal Code Offences. Drivers convicted of an impaired driving offence in Saskatchewan face a 6 month suspension for a first conviction, 1 year for a second conviction, 3 years for a third conviction, and 5 years for a subsequent conviction.

A unique aspect of Saskatchewan’s program of dealing with impaired drivers is the option for repeat offenders to attend an in-patient alcohol treatment program in lieu of jail.

Licence Reinstatement. First offenders have the option of either serving the full period of suspension or serving the court-ordered prohibition from driving (minimum 3 months), paying a $150 fee and completing the Driving Without Impairment (DWI) program. Completing the DWI program allows an offender to be reinstated before the end of the 6-month suspension.

Repeat offenders must either complete their period of suspension or apply for a restricted licence after 6 months of a one year suspension, after 2 years of a three-year suspension, or after 3 years of a five-year suspension.

Future Initiatives. The Interagency Committee on Impaired Driving has proposed a number of initiatives, including: a lower BAC for new drivers; increased statutory licence suspensions; elimination of the restricted licence option; and rehabilitation programs.