The Saskatchewan government is considering changes to The Traffic Safety Act that would introduce administrative penalties for impaired driving, allowing law enforcement to remove impaired drivers from roads more quickly, according to a news release issued July 2, 2026.
Administrative Penalties Proposed
The province is moving toward the use of administrative penalties for drivers who provide breath samples indicating a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or greater, a government spokesperson clarified. These penalties would be immediate and non-criminal, including driver's licence suspension, vehicle impoundment, requirement for ignition interlock, impaired education courses, and safe driver recognition penalties such as demerit points and financial penalties.
Immediate financial penalties would be $1,000 plus a 30 per cent victim surcharge for a first offence, and $2,000 plus a 30 per cent victim surcharge for subsequent offences.
Police Discretion Maintained
The release states that police would retain discretion to proceed with criminal charges in serious cases or whenever criminal prosecution is warranted. Offences resulting in fatalities, injuries, property damage or involving passengers under 16, and drivers who refuse to provide a breath sample, would continue to be dealt with strictly through Criminal Code charges.
Impact on Police Resources
The administrative measures are intended to allow police to spend less time completing paperwork and more time protecting Saskatchewan people on highways and in communities, according to the government. The release does not indicate when such changes would come into effect if adopted.
