REPEAT DRUNK DRIVERS TO HAVE VEHICLES FORFEITED

A directive issued to the province's Crown Prosecutors today will see tougher treatment of repeat drunk drivers.

"The Government of Saskatchewan is well aware of the danger on our streets and highways posed by drunk drivers," Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan said. "The people of Saskatchewan have voted for safer communities and we are delivering on our promise to decrease the number of repeat drunk driving offences in our province."

Effective immediately, all prosecutors are instructed to strongly consider proceeding by way of indictment, and on conviction applying for forfeiture of the vehicle where the Criminal Code permits in the following circumstances:

• if the offender has two or more convictions for impaired driving within two years of the date of the current offence; or
• if the offender does not have a previous impaired driving conviction within two years of the date of the current offence but has three or more impaired driving convictions within four years; or
• if the offender has a prior conviction for impaired driving within two years of the date of the current offence plus two or more impaired driving convictions within four years.

Prosecutors are also encouraged to exercise their discretion and to consider applying for forfeiture of the vehicle where a repeat offender is convicted of impaired driving causing bodily harm or death.

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For more information, contact:

Debi McEwen
Justice and Attorney General
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6043
Email: dmcewen@justice.gov.sk.ca