2011 news releases

For major announcements, decisions, projects or campaigns, SGI circulates news releases to Saskatchewan media.

RID expands to Estevan

Sept. 7, 2011

The streets of Estevan just got a little safer, thanks to the expansion of the Report Impaired Drivers (RID) program to Estevan today.

RID encourages the public to call 911 if they see a driver they suspect is impaired.

“Drinking and driving is the number one cause of fatal crashes in Saskatchewan,” said Kwei Quaye, Assistant Vice President of Traffic Safety Services at SGI. “The Report Impaired Drivers program empowers the public to help law enforcement find impaired drivers, so they can be removed from our roads. With a whole city on the lookout for anyone driving under the influence, impaired drivers may think twice about getting behind the wheel.”

RID is a partnership led by SGI, the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority and the Estevan Police Service, with support from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and Students Against Drinking and Driving.

RID was piloted in Saskatoon in March 2010. It expanded to Regina last September, and to Moose Jaw and Prince Albert in March. Since then, police say RID calls have led to more than 270 impaired driving charges. In addition to these charges, police have sent warning letters to more than 1,900 vehicle owners, advising them their vehicle was reported as possibly being operated by an impaired driver.

“The Estevan Police Service is happy to engage the public’s help in removing impaired drivers from our city’s streets,” said Estevan Police Chief Del Block. “We’ve seen the number of impaired driving charges resulting from RID in other communities, and know the RID program can have a similar impact here in Estevan.”

It is recommended that drivers pull over safely to the side of the road before dialing, or have a passenger make the 911 call.