SGI urges people to find safe rides on New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is often a time of celebration, but Saskatchewan’s insurance issuer wants to make sure people have a safe ride home tonight.

SGI’s Jeremy Pilon says people can take a cab or rideshare, or even use public transportation if they plan on heading out and having some drinks.

“There are a lot of reasons not to drink and drive. If you get caught impaired while you’re driving, be that alcohol or cannabis or anything else that can impair you, there’s a whole list of things that can happen,” Pilon said.

“You can have your vehicle impounded, mandatory ignition interlock just to get back on into your vehicle. There could be fines, prison time, license suspensions. But the one that I think is most important that people remember is that you can injure or even kill someone. It could be yourself or someone in your vehicle.”

Pilon also said people can appoint someone in their group as a designated driver.

Go out and have a good time on New Year’s Eve. But the party’s not over until you find a safe ride home for yourself and others.

Ride for free on New Year's Eve between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m. courtesy of SGI.

Visit https://t.co/yWVKDgdkBD for schedules and routes. pic.twitter.com/LZQEEoXuiM

— City of Regina (@CityofRegina) December 11, 2024

Both Regina and Saskatoon will be offering free transit services from 7 p.m. Tuesday until 3.a.m. Jan.1.

Pilon said one out of every three collisions in the province is caused by impaired driving.

“Thirty-three per cent of the collisions in this province can be prevented by by finding that safe ride and choosing not to get behind the wheel if you’re impaired,” he said.

On The Evan Bray Show on Tuesday, SGI’s Kwei Quaye said there have been about 660 impaired driving collisions per year over the last five years in the province.

Quaye says those result in roughly 364 injuries and about 32 deaths per year.

“Those numbers are still too high for us. It’s come down over the years but is still at a very high level,” he said.

Quaye also urged people to call a sober friend or family member for a ride if they’re out of the house or to consider staying the night at a friend’s house until the following morning.

“Driving impaired is just not an option, because driving impaired could result in injury or death to yourself or somebody else,” he said.

“Impaired driving is not good for anyone at all.”

What’s open and closed in Regina over the holidays

Civic offices: Closed Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1.

Landfill: Dec. 24 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec. 25 closed, Dec. 31 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jan. 1 closed.

Waste Collection (Garbage, Recycling, Food and Yard): Those who would get service on Dec. 25 will have items picked up on Dec. 28. Those who would normally get service on Dec. 26 and Jan. 1, will get service as normal.

Regina Transit: Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 there will be no service provided. Information Centre and RIDELine closed. Dec. 26 will have service provided using the Sunday routes and schedules. Information Centre and RIDELine closed. Dec. 27- Information Centre and RIDELine will be closed. People can ride for free on New Year’s Eve between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Paratransit Service: Dec. 25 8 a.m.to 10 p.m., Dec. 26 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Jan. 1 8 a.m. to 7pm.

Riverside Memorial Park and Regina cemeteries: Office closed for Dec. 25, Dec. 26 and Jan. 1 Gates open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 25, Dec. 26 and Jan. 1.

North West Leisure Centre: Dec. 25 closed, Dec. 26 and Jan. 1 open 12 to 6 p.m.

Sandra Schmirler Leisure Centre: Dec. 25 closed, Dec. 26 and Jan. 1 open 12 to 6 p.m.

Sportplex – Fieldhouse & Lawson Aquatic Centre: Dec. 25 closed, Dec. 26 and Jan. 1 open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Parking meters: Not in effect Dec. 25, Dec. 26, or Jan. 1.

Public Skate: The Co-operators Centre closed Dec. 25, Dec, 26 and Jan. 1. Check Regina public arena skate schedules here and outdoor rinks here.

— with files from Daniel Reech

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