MADD Regina using damaged truck to illustrate harms of impaired driving

Commuters who travel by some of Regina’s busiest intersections will see a sobering reminder of the consequences of impaired driving.

The Regina chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is partnering with SGI, police, the city and TRK Towing to display a smashed-up pickup truck.

It features a shattered windshield. The hood has been twisted and the body has been decaled with a reminder to drive sober. The vehicle was not damaged during a crash caused by impaired driving but is being used to illustrate the damage that can result.

During a news conference Thursday morning near Albert Street and Gordon Road, MADD’s Heather Tatham described the truck as a “moving billboard” that she hopes will make drivers think twice before getting behind the wheel after using alcohol or drugs.

“We’re going to be in high-visibility areas and we want to make sure that people are aware of what impaired driving can do. It hurts everyone, all of us,” Tatham said.

The truck will be displayed at a few other locations including Ninth Avenue and McCarthy Boulevard, Arcola Avenue and Prince of Wales Drive, Arcola Avenue and Park Street, and at the University of Regina.

Saskatchewan Government Insurance also unveiled results of its May Traffic Spotlight, which focused on impaired driving. Last month, police reported 507 impaired driving offences, with 366 criminal charges and 141 roadside suspensions.

The launch of the campaign came as the province prepares to hit another mark in its reopening plan, with more people expected to gather in restaurants and bars starting Sunday.

“The province is going to be opening up soon. Restrictions will change. Rules will change but one thing that hasn’t changed and won’t change is the fact that impaired driving is still illegal,” said SGI spokesperson Tyler McMurchy.

The inside of a truck meant to illustrate the damage caused by impaired driving. (Joseph Ho/980 CJME)

McMurchy said impaired driving remains the leading cause of death on Saskatchewan roads. He said there were nearly 700 crashes caused by impaired driving last year, with 31 people dying and 371 people injured.

“Earlier this decade, those numbers were all higher on an annual basis. We can’t be satisfied while it’s still happening at all,” McMurchy said, adding the numbers were higher than those in 2019.

In Regina, police laid more than 360 impaired driving charges last year, according to Supt. Lorilee Davies.

Consequences of impaired driving can include immediate licence suspension and vehicle impoundment. Once convicted, drivers will face a criminal record, penalties to their insurance premiums, Ignition Interlock requirements, driver education, fines or jail time.

But McMurchy said the legal ramifications pale in comparison to the fallout once a life has been lost.

“Impaired driving isn’t just about numbers. Every time somebody dies as a result of impaired driving, there’s a family that is destroyed. (There’s) a whole circle of people who are affected by that,” he said.

That is what Tatham continues to live with.

Seven years ago, her husband Gary was killed by an impaired driver. Since then, her husband has missed out on two of his children getting married as well as the births of four grandchildren.

Tatham still feels the loss of her “rock” and “best friend.”

“It’s not something that goes away. Every day you wake up and you think about it and what would Gary do and what would he think of this situation,” she said.

“One little crash destroyed the lives of so many people. Their hopes and their wishes and everything that they could have had was gone in an instant because of one person’s selfish behaviour.”