By Angela Brown

JPII students and deputy mayor launch Impaired Driving Awareness Week

Mar 5, 2018 | 1:00 PM

Many North Battleford students are stepping forward this week to remind everyone not to drink and drive.

John Paul II Collegiate students and school counsellor Melissa Fuhr joined North Battleford Deputy Mayor Len Taylor outside City Hall Monday as Taylor proclaimed Impaired Driving Awareness Week in Saskatchewan and the Battlefords. Members of the local Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD) chapter presented a banner with the words ‘Don’t Drink and Drive,’ to launch the week.

“Kids are actually smarter than adults when it comes to impaired driving,” Fuhr said. “I find as the years progress they are getting smarter and smarter, and taking those risks seriously.”

Fuhr, who is also the student SADD group advisor, said the students in the group take up a monthly initiative to increase awareness about the problem of drinking and driving. Since it’s Impaired Driving Awareness Week, she said the youths have a number of activities planned. 

Taylor relayed Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) statistics showing the province’s rate of impaired drivers is the highest in Canada, and nearly half of all fatal traffic collisions in Saskatchewan involve alcohol. SGI indicated 57 people died in the province in 2016 due to impaired drivers, and young people from ages 16 to 21 appear to be at the highest risk for roadway deaths involving alcohol.

Missing person

Spiritwood RCMP searching for missing woman

1h ago

2023-24 Hardware

AAA Stars celebrate best of season with year-end awards

19h ago

Real Estate

Buying or selling a house? Do your homework first

23h ago

Taylor said he was impressed with the students for helping raise awareness about the issue.

“It’s wonderful to see the youth of our community stepping forward and highlighting this important issue,” he said. “The people of the Battlefords, Saskatchewan and across Canada have to be aware of this all year around, constantly, every single day.” 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow