2012 news releases

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

Operation Overdrive back as part of Canada Road Safety Week

May 14, 2012

The second Operation Overdrive traffic safety blitz, focusing on impaired driving, will be part of Canada Road Safety Week, from May 14 - 21. This week-long initiative is an annual collaboration by Canadian police services to aggressively enforce traffic safety laws.

Throughout the week, law enforcement across the country will be targeting the "Big 4" killers on our roads: impaired driving, improper use of seatbelts, aggressive driving and distracted driving. In addition to the week-long initiative, Saskatchewan police agencies will choose two days over the May long weekend to focus specifically on impaired driving as part of the regular province-wide coordinated safety blitzes.

"Most alcohol-related casualty collisions happen on the weekends, and these numbers are even higher in the summer months," said Andrew Cartmell, President and CEO of SGI. "We hope that over the May long weekend, and throughout the summer, motorists protect themselves and others by planning a safe ride home."

In 2011, preliminary numbers show there were more than 1,200 collisions where alcohol was a factor, resulting in 566 injuries and 54 fatalities.

"We are committed to ensuring the safety of Saskatchewan residents by focusing our enforcement and educational energy on the high-risk driving behaviours contributing to death and injury on our roadways," said Sgt. Andy Landers, "F" Division Traffic Services. "We want to remind motors to never drink and drive, pay attention to the road, be patient with other drivers and leave lots of time to arrive safely at your destination. We look forward to working with all partner agencies throughout the week and will be out in full force to ensure a safe week of travel as we prepare for the increased highway traffic of the summer months."

May's Operation Overdrive is the sixth coordinated traffic safety blitz in Saskatchewan. Last month's blitz, Operation Hang Up, Buckle Up, focused on the improper use of seatbelts and cellphone use while driving. In total, 516 tickets were issued, with 151 Saskatchewan drivers ticketed for improper or non-seatbelt use and 83 for using a hand-held cellphone behind the wheel.

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.