Saskatchewan’s suspended drivers license program efficient

Motorists with previous impaired driving convictions are still a problem on Saskatchewan’s roads. Although convicted, many will drive without a proper license and insurance.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada) says these types of drivers are more likely to get into a crash and, to add to the problem, they do not have insurance coverage to pay for the losses.
In order to quantify the severity of this concern, Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) and MADD Canada recently entered into a study to discover dubbed ‘Trends in First-Time Disqualifications in Saskatchewan.’
The study identifies the likelihood of a driver whose license is disqualified to complete remedial measures program(s) and be re-licensed.
According to MADD Canada, the Saskatchewan findings were very good when compared to the results of an earlier study completed in Ontario. Andrew Murie, CEO of MADD Canada, says SGI license suspension programs are run efficiently.
“Approximately 70% of the first offenders were re-licensed, while another 27% remained unlicensed for a variety of reasons,” Murie says. “This tells us that the remedial measures programs introduced in Saskatchewan in 1996 have been effectively implemented.”
“When compared to Ontario’s re-licensing programs, Saskatchewan’s program is much better. The significant comparison is that only 27% of first time offenders referred to addiction screening in Saskatchewan did not follow-through by attending their initial session – compared to a non-participation rate of 55% in Ontario,” Murie adds.
Saskatchewan drivers will be pleased to hear that when compared to Ontario’s roads, their Province has less problem drivers driving without licences and insurance.
“In Ontario, there is a nightmare scenario where more and more drivers who are losing their licenses fail to get properly re-licensed,” Murie says. “That means there more and more problem drivers driving without their licenses or without insurance.”
The study can be accessed through Synectics Transportation Consultants on MADD Canada’s website at www.madd.ca.