Government is taking action against impaired driving through effective legislation , more tools for law enforcement , and doing more to build awareness . “ Drinking and driving has taken far too many lives in this province and people need to get the message that it is never acceptable , period ,” Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Government Insurance Joe Hargrave said . “ Our government is committed to reducing the number of lives lost and people injured due to impaired driving .”

Saskatchewan has the highest rate , per capita , of impaired driving fatalities in Canada . In 2015 * in Saskatchewan , there were nearly 1,200 impaired driving collisions , killing 53 people and injuring 578 others .

Amendments to The Traffic Safety Act will be introduced this fall to :

• Add a three-day vehicle seizure for experienced drivers who are charged for the first time with having a blood alcohol content ( BAC ) over . 04 ;

• Apply zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol to drivers 21 and under ; and

• Strengthen ignition interlock laws to be the most effective in Canada , by extending mandatory ignition interlock to drivers who register a BAC over . 16 or refuse to provide a breath sample ( 1st offence - two years ; 2nd offence - five years ; 3rd and subsequent offence - 10 years ).

“ These amendments build on changes the province made in 2014 to strengthen impaired driving laws ,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Gordon Wyant said . “ Once passed , Saskatchewan will join Alberta and British Columbia in having some of the most effective impaired driving legislation in Canada . Our government also continues to explore other avenues to bring down the number of impaired driving deaths and injuries in the province , including closer examination of the full B . C . model .”

If approved , changes will take effect January 1 , 2017 . “ We support these changes ,” MADD Canada CEO Andrew Murie said . “ MADD is happy to see Saskatchewan strengthening consequences for people who continue to drive impaired .

To place your organization ’ s ad , contact the Martensville Messenger at news @ martensvillemessenger . ca

Thursday , November 3 North Side RECYCLE Collection Day SAS Christmas Extravaganza

Saturday , November 5 Home Alone Plus First Aid Workshop Casino Night North Ridge Centennial Community Centre

Tuesday , November 8 Committee of the Whole City Hall - 5pm

Wednesday , November 9 South Side WASTE Collection Day

Thursday , November 10 North Side WASTE Collection Day

Saturday , November 12 Shopping Extravaganza

For more information on City events , visit www . martensville . ca

Alberta and B . C . experienced significant decreases in impaired driving fatalities after implementing vehicle seizures for low BAC drivers . We ’ re confident this measure will also save lives in Saskatchewan .”

Government is also further supporting law enforcement efforts through more tools and funding . SGI will invest $ 800,000 in 32 more Automated Licence Plate Readers ( ALPRs ) to help police catch disqualified drivers . This brings the total to 47 ALPRs , enough to equip all vehicles in the Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan pilot . This pilot dedicates 60 officers to traffic safety enforcement , targeting problematic roadways and intersections in the central and southeast regions of the province , with a focus on impaired driving , distracted driving and speeding .

SGI is also providing $ 500,000 for law enforcement to increase check stops targeting impaired driving . “ We know that if drivers perceive their risk of being caught impaired as being higher , they ’ re more likely to change their behaviour ,” Hargrave said . “ Having police checking drivers is a way to do that . Knowing there will be more police check stops provides that extra motivation for people to plan a safe and sober ride ahead of time .”

“ I have watched this process unfold , and I can say that government was very serious about making sound and impactful change ,” active advocate against drinking and driving Allan Kerpan , whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver in 2014 said . “ With this game changing legislation , the government can take great credit in knowing they are saving lives in Saskatchewan .”

SGI is also supporting drivers in changing behaviour by raising awareness of impaired driving consequences through multi-media advertising campaigns and social media channels . Campaigns are underway now and will continue into 2017 and beyond .

To combat distracted driving , and in response to recommendations from law enforcement , government is also strengthening cellphone legislation by changing the offence to “ holding , viewing , using or manipulating ” a mobile device while driving , instead of the current “ using ” a mobile device .

“ While The Traffic Safety Act is open to strengthen impaired driving consequences , it made sense to make this change to cellphone legislation at the same time ,” Hargrave said . “ We need to make it clear to drivers that using a cellphone while driving is not acceptable – the distraction simply isn ’ t worth the risk .”

* 2015 data is preliminary and will change as investigations are ongoing and SGI

ENERGY STAR ® QUALIFIED EFFICIENCIES

Members attended a total of 155 calls and 59 charges were laid during the past week in the Detachment .

Dalmeny Collision Claims life On October 25th at 6:30 pm a two vehicle collision at the corner of Highway 16 and the Dalmeny turnoff resulted in one fatality . Collision is under investigation .

vehicle loses Control on Centennial Blvd in martensville October 29th at 12:50 am a vehicle lost control while travelling on Centennial Boulevard and struck two parked cars .

gazebo at Prairie Oasis in Warman vandalized The gazebo at Prairie Oasis Park in Warman was vandalised sometime between October 10th and 16th . martensville messenger - nOvemBer 3 , 2016 - Page 3

attempted theft at residence in Osler October 27th at 6:02 am a report of an attempted theft occurred at a residence in Osler . Someone entered the garage , setting off the house alarm . Nothing was taken .

theft at Borden grocery store October 27th at 10:13 am a theft from the Borden Co-op grocery store was reported . Someone gained access to the store and stole some food .

Bike stolen in Osler October 27th at 11:20 a report was made of a theft of a bike in Osler . A green mountain bike was left in exchange . If you are missing a bike in Osler , please contact our office .

stolen vehicle at adobe inn located in Osler October 29th at 6:40 pm a

This Winter ’ s Forecast : Whatever Makes You Comfortable .

Monday-Friday 9-8 Saturday 10-5 Sunday 12-5

Closed Holidays

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vehicle was reported stolen from the Adobe Inn in Martensville . Vehicle was located in the Osler area .

October 29th at 10:40 pm a loud party was reported on Cherry Court in Warman with lots of teenagers , people spilling out onto the street .

If you have information regarding these or any other crimes , please contact Warman / Martensville RCMP at 306-975-1670 / 306- 975-1610 or if you have information and you wish to remain anonymous in your reporting , please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS ( 8477 ), submit a tip via their website : http :// saskcrimestoppers . com / or text in a tip : TIP206 + your tip to CRIMES ( 274637 ).