2011 news releases

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

RID expands to Weyburn

Sept. 7, 2011

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

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

“The Report Impaired Drivers program helps address an alarming reality – the fact that drinking and driving is the leading cause of fatal crashes in our province,” said Kwei Quaye, Assistant Vice President of Traffic Safety Services at SGI. “RID empowers the people of Estevan to help law enforcement find impaired drivers, so they can be stopped before it’s too late. It also serves as a warning that there is now a whole city on the lookout for anyone driving under the influence.”

RID is a partnership led by SGI, the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) and the Weyburn 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 program also expanded to Estevan earlier today.

“The Weyburn Police Service strongly supports the RID program and hopes the public will get behind RID as well,” said Weyburn Police Chief Howard Georgeson. “Working together, we can make our community safer by removing impaired drivers from our roads.”

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