Regina police officer hopes Uber curbs drunk driving rates

A Regina police officer is hoping the Saskatchewan government moves forward with more ride-sharing options for residents.

Superintendent Darcy Koch said he’s personally used Uber outside the Queen City, and added he was pleased when it was brought up in the legislature last month.

“I think it’s a great idea. I’ve used it just recently in the States and I think it’s a great, great service,” said Koch.

He added that it’s his hope ridesharing services can trim down Saskatchewan’s high rates of drinking and driving.

“(Uber) is just another one of those services,” said Koch. “It’s important to get home safe — that’s what our goal is.”

Meanwhile, Joe Hargrave, the minister responsible for SGI, said he’s not blind to the province’s nation-leading impaired driving rates.

He said the provincial government is working on other ways for people to find a safe ride home, such as through ride-sharing services, like Uber.

“That’s something that we’re looking at,” said Hargrave. “We’re hoping that we can work together with the municipalities to bring in another option for people to use.”

In his October throne speech, Premier Brad Wall wrote he will be “urging municipalities to allow ride-sharing services to operate within their jurisdiction.”

In the last decade, more than 600 people have been killed and over 4,000 injured in drunk driving crashes across Saskatchewan.