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John Paul II Collegiate students in the Students Against Drinking and Driving group join Mayor Ryan Bater to launch Impaired Driving Awareness Week in North Battleford Tuesday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)  
Safe and Sober

Students encourage drivers make safe choices during Impaired Driving Awareness Week

Mar 10, 2020 | 1:40 PM

John Paul II Collegiate students took to the streets Tuesday to remind people not to drink and drive.

Several members from the Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD) group held a bright banner outside city hall with the message: “Don’t Drink and Drive,” as part of their education campaign to mark Impaired Driving Awareness Week.

Melissa Fuhr, staff advisor for the SADD chapter at JPII, said the group is encouraging people to “make safe choices” behind the wheel.

“These students are really committed to raising awareness of the destruction of impaired driving, the turmoil it causes,” she said.

Fuhr said the group also aims to educate people of the dangers of impaired driving due to texting and driving as well.

There were a number of activities planned at the school Tuesday and Wednesday focusing on the issue.

Mayor Ryan Bater officially proclaimed this week as Impaired Driving Awareness Week in the Battlefords.

He said he is especially concerned about the high number of impaired driving incidents in the province.

“Saskatchewan has the highest rate of impaired driving in the country,” Bater said. “That is definitely something that needs to be addressed.”

According to SGI, nearly half of all fatal traffic collisions in the province involve alcohol.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow