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Volume 109 No. 38
North Battleford, Sask.
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
A virtual look at the reality of impaired driving New VR simulator asks participants to make the choice and face the consequences Staff As students across the province get ready for graduation season, police across Saskatchewan will be focusing on impaired driving for the May Traffic Safety Spotlight, according to a press release from SGI. To drive home the negative impacts of both alcohol and drug-impaired driving, SGI has a new virtual reality simulator that will be used in demonstrations by SGI’s Traffic Safety Promotion team at schools, community events and trade shows. In one scenario, participants walk into a house party in full swing, and chat with a new friend who has been using marijuana. Some other people at the party are in a hurry to leave for a concert. Who the participant chooses to leave the party with will impact them for a lot longer than just that night, and whether that person ends up as
a passenger or a driver, they’re about to get up close and personal with the reality of impaired driving. Most scenarios end in an emergency room with a tragic outcome. “While this is a simulation, it vividly demonstrates the very real and sad consequences of impaired driving,” said Penny McCune, chief operating officer of the Auto Fund. “Marijuana will be legalized in the not-too-distant future, and the virtual reality simulator is another tool we have to help people understand that a single bad decision on a night out can affect you for the rest of your life.” The VR simulator also has scenarios related to distracted driving and speeding. SGI says, more people are killed by impaired driving on Saskatchewan roads than by any other cause. In 2016,
57 people lost their lives and 464 were injured in collisions involving alcohol or drugs. Saskatchewan impaired driving laws impose licence suspensions, vehicle seizures and mandatory ignition interlock for convicted impaired drivers. That’s on top of fines, jail time and driving restrictions imposed by the courts. Federal and provincial legislation has been introduced and is expected to be passed this year to deal with drugimpaired driving. Federal Bill C-46, currently with the Senate, adds three new offences to the Criminal Code related to drug-impaired driving. The provincial government introduced legislation in November taking a zero-tolerance stance against drug-impaired driving. The legislation ensures Saskatchewan’s tough administrative licence suspensions and vehicle seizure penalties also apply to people charged under the incoming federal laws.
Fiesta! Street Festival organizers hosted a fundraiser, Street Fest Fiesta, over the weekend at the Don Ross gym. The theme was Cinco de Mayo, and included a performance by the local band Beer League, Mexican-themed food and drinks and Dawn of the Dead face painting. Pictured here are organizers Becky Page and Roxanne Osicki. The fifth annual Street Fest will take place July 27 and 28. Photos by Josh Greschner