2011 news releases

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

Operation Overdrive nabs 25 impaired drivers

Dec. 21, 2011

Twenty-five people were charged with impaired driving last week during a province-wide traffic blitz.

Police agencies across the province, including rural and larger municipal services, CN Rail Police and the RCMP, participated in the Operation Overdrive two-day blitz. Some agencies operated Dec. 15-16 and others Dec. 16-17.

“Once again we saw extensive media coverage leading up to the blitz, so it appears the province-wide approach is helping heighten public awareness of key traffic safety issues,” said Andrew Cartmell, President and CEO of SGI. “However, even one impaired driving charge is too many and demonstrates the need for continued emphasis on the issue of impaired driving in our province.”

Law enforcement checked more than 4,200 vehicles during the blitz and issued a total of 241 tickets. Results are as follows:

• 25 impaired driving charges
• 19 licence/roadside suspensions
• 21 prohibited driving fines
• 31 vehicles seized
• 11 Criminal Code arrests
• 7 drug charges
• 127 Traffic Safety Act charges for a variety of other offences

“I’d like to commend police agencies across the province for the excellent cooperation in carrying out this operation,” said Chief Troy Hagen, President of the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police. “Several checkstop locations throughout the province were staffed by municipal and RCMP members, all working together to keep our roads safe from impaired drivers.”

Operation Overdrive was the second province-wide coordinated traffic safety blitz. The first blitz, Operation HandsFree, took place in November and resulted in 207 drivers being fined for cellphone use while driving. A provincial blitz will be held each month targeting a key traffic safety issue.

About SGI

Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) is the province's self-sustaining auto insurance fund. SGI operates 21 claims centres and five salvage centres across Saskatchewan with a head office in Regina. SGI also works with a network of over 400 motor licence issuers across the province. Customers can now do some transactions online. Look for the MySGI link under Online Services on your motor licence issuer's website or SGI's website.