Reporting an impaired driver isn’t “snitching;” it’s potentially saving their life
RID program urges the public to call 911 to report suspected impaired drivers.
If someone is driving impaired, you should call 911 and report them. It’s not snitching on that person; it’s helping them by potentially saving their life.
As part of the April Traffic Safety Spotlight on impaired driving, SGI and law enforcement are reminding the public that the Report Impaired Drivers (RID) program* allows them to simply call 911 if they see a driver they suspect may be impaired.
Impaired driving collisions kill an average of 34 people per year in Saskatchewan (based on a five-year average between 2017-2021). Impaired drivers endanger pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and other motorists. But more often than not, the person killed in an impaired driving collision is the person who chose to drive impaired. So by reporting that impaired driver, you’re removing them from a life-threatening situation, and helping to prevent a crash that could end or ruin their life.**
“When a person makes the decision to drive impaired, they are putting their own life at risk, along with everyone else on the road,” said SGI President and CEO Penny McCune. “If you see someone you know is driving impaired -- or believe is driving impaired -- please report it.”
“You can help prevent heartbreak in your community by choosing to drive sober,” said Corporal Brian Ferguson of Saskatchewan RCMP Combined Traffic Safety Services (CTSS) Unit. “There is simply no excuse for impaired driving. We all know the risks, we all know the consequences and, as a community, we all know we have a part to do. You can choose to drive safe and report suspected impaired drivers – it’s as easy as that. If you see a suspected impaired driver, pull over and immediately call 911.”
Be aware of the common signs demonstrated by impaired drivers. These include:
drifting in and out of lanes
driving unreasonably fast, slow or at an inconsistent speed
tailgating and changing lanes frequently
making exceptionally wide turns
changing lanes or passing without sufficient clearance
overshooting or stopping well before stop signs or stop lights
disregarding signals and lights
approaching signals or leaving intersections too quickly or slowly
driving with windows open in cold or inclement weather
driving without headlights or leaving turn signals on
If you spot someone exhibiting these behaviours, pull over and call 911. Take note of the location, the direction the vehicle is travelling, a description of the vehicle (including colour, make, model and licence plate number), what type of driving behaviour is being exhibited, and a description of the driver if possible.In 2022, RID calls have led to more than 370 Criminal Code charges, 130 roadside suspensions and 50 other charges.
Follow SGI on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more information on Saskatchewan’s RID program.
*RID is a partnership led by SGI, the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, and various police agencies across the province, with support from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD). It began as a pilot program in Saskatoon in March 2010 and expanded to become a province-wide program in November 2011.
**Consequences for an impaired driving charge are serious, but the consequences for causing a collision that injures or kills someone are even more severe. Giving police the chance to intervene could save the life of the driver (or another road user) and also serve as the “wake-up call” to stop the impaired driver from engaging in that risky behaviour again.