Stolen Report Impaired Driver Shows ‘Frustrating’, Says MADD Saskatoon – Saskatoon | The Canadian News

The Saskatoon chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) says its Report Impaired Drivers (RID) signs continue to be stolen.

The program that began has been in place since July 2020 with signs showing where drunk or drugged drivers have been criminally charged and encouraging the public to call 911 if they suspect a drunk driver.

“What we do in Saskatoon is that twice a month I get a list of places where criminally charged drunk drivers were caught and charged and we put up a sign at those places to identify them,” said MADD Saskatoon President Bonny. Stevenson.

“It is quite shocking. And I think what it really shows because we also post the time of day. So these disabilities not only occur in every corner of the city, but there are no specifics to the east or west. It doesn’t matter … The time of day doesn’t matter either.

“Drunk drivers are out there all the time.”

Stevenson said that since day one, the signs have not appeared.

“It varies but honestly, if we add 10, we are lucky to get five back. So we put them in and then when we get the new set of locations we go out and pick up the old ones and we put in the new ones. So you would think that they would all be there within a two week period, but that is not the case, “he said.

“It is incredibly frustrating. I mean, it is not a simple project. I mean, it takes a couple of hours to turn around and put them on and I think they are a great reminder. “

Stevenson, whose son was killed by a drunk driver in Saskatoon, said he doesn’t know why anyone would take the signs.

“I can’t, for the life of me, figure out who in the world is taking them and why.” she said.

“We are quite strategic where we place them… I have also become very cautious. If a spoiled load was outside a nightclub, a restaurant or something like that, we are not going to put it in the front yard. So we tried to get it out. It does not necessarily have to be in that exact location.

“I’ve done it, I think I’ve already lost sleep wondering why in the world people are taking these signs, but I don’t have an answer.”

2:42Why is the fight against drunk driving important in Saskatchewan?

Saskatchewan Government Insurance Minister (SGI) Don Morgan said the fight against drunk drivers in the province is important.

“Saskatchewan has historically had some of the worst safety records in Canada and we believe it is absolutely unacceptable to have high numbers,” he said.

“Going back to 2009, we have had 1,590 collisions involving drunk drivers and 889 injuries and 65 deaths. In 2020, which is the most recent full year, the number of collisions dropped to 717, injuries to 386, and deaths to 36. “