Weyburn police initiative will provide drunk people with safe rides home

The Weyburn Police Service is looking to launch a new initiative at the end of the month that will significantly reduce the number of impaired drivers in the city.

Police Chief Marlo Pritchard said the program will allow patrons of establishments to leave their keys behind. They would then receive a voucher for a taxi ride home. The next day they could pick up their keys from the Weyburn Police Station. As well, their name will be put in a draw for a chance to win a prize in the future.

“We say there’s other options, well here’s another option,” said Pritchard. “It’s a different approach and it’s an awareness campaign. We’re hoping that it will be a little bit of fun and an opportunity for some people to win some prizes, and maybe reduce impaired driving too.”

Pritchard added that there has been a strong buy-in from the community for the program.

“We have partnered with a number of the community liquor establishments and taxi companies,” said Pritchard. “Businesses are sponsoring us, SGI has sponsored us. We were also able to get some grant money for the project.”

The initiative will be starting on Aug. 31.