Mandatory alcohol screening is returning for the month of July. Here’s what you need to know: If a police officer stops your vehicle and demands a breath sample to check for alcohol consumption before driving, you are required to take the test.
Under federal legislation, police have the authority to demand a quick roadside breath test from any legally stopped driver using an approved screening device. No reasonable suspicion is needed for this roadside test. This authority comes from Criminal Code Section 320.27(2), which has been in effect since 2018. However, many drivers are still unaware that they must comply with a demand for a breath test. Non-compliance can lead to serious penalties.
“It is estimated that over 1,500 people are killed by impaired drivers in Canada each year,” said Sgt. Shannon Gordon of the Regina Police Service Traffic Safety Unit. “Mandatory roadside alcohol screening is not targeted but is an effort to reduce these numbers and ensure a safer driving experience for everyone.”
Drivers who refuse to take the test can face charges with penalties equal to or more severe than those for impaired driving convictions, including:
- Immediate roadside license suspension
- Immediate minimum 30-day vehicle impoundment
Upon conviction, penalties include:
- A minimum $2,000 fine
- Mandatory impaired driver education
- A minimum $1,250 Safe Driver Recognition penalty
- A minimum one-year Ignition Interlock requirement
In March of 2024, the Regina Police Service Traffic Safety Unit conducted 637 mandatory roadside alcohol screening tests on drivers stopped for offences like speeding, distracted driving, or not wearing a seatbelt. As a result of the tests, nine people were arrested and six suspensions were handed out for drivers being over the statutory limit of .04.
Impaired driving remains the leading cause of fatal collisions on Saskatchewan roads. To ensure everyone finds a safe ride home, volunteer to be the designated driver, call a friend or loved one for a ride, use a taxi or rideshare service, or spend the night at a friend’s place.
The Regina Police Service thanks the public for their cooperation.
