May 3, 2006

Study:  Suspended Driver License Programs in Saskatchewan are 'Efficiently Run' - this is relative to 'Ontario's Nightmare Scenario'
-- MADD Canada praises SGI and its efforts in promoting safe driving --

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada) is concerned that there are too many problem drivers, who have been previously convicted for impaired driving or other serious crimes, who are driving on our roads without a proper license and insurance.  According to MADD Canada, these are the worst type of drivers for they are more likely to get into a crash -- and they do not have insurance coverage to pay for the losses of their crash victims.

MADD Canada and Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) entered into a study to discover how extensive this problem is in the Province. The study 'Trends in First-Time Disqualifications in Saskatchewan' set out to identify the likelihood of a driver whose license is disqualified to complete remedial measures program(s) and be re-licensed. The public can access the study by Synectics Transportation Consultants on MADD Canada's website.

The Saskatchewan findings were very good when compared to the results of an earlier MADD Canada study completed in Ontario.  Andrew Murie, CEO of MADD Canada, explains, "We found that SGI license suspension programs are run very efficiently. Approximately 70 percent of the first offenders were re-licensed, while another 27 percent remained unlicensed for a variety of reasons. This tells us that the remedial measures programs introduced in Saskatchewan in 1996 have been effectively implemented."

"When compared to Ontario's re-licensing programs, Saskatchewan's program is much better. The significant comparison is that only 27 percent of first time offenders referred to addiction screening in Saskatchewan did not follow-through by attending their initial session - compared to a non-participation rate of 55 percent in Ontario," says Mr. Murie.

Mr. Murie adds, "The good news for motorists in Saskatchewan is that the license suspension and reinstatement process is efficient and effective in dealing with problem drivers. Compared to Ontario's roads, there are less problem drivers driving without licences and insurance.  And where there is room for program improvement, SGI is focused and committed to improving on the programs."

"This responsible attitude of SGI contrasts with what we have heard from the Ontario Government and its Minister of Transportation. In Ontario, there is a nightmare scenario where more and more drivers who are losing their licenses fail to get properly re-licensed. That means there more and more problem drivers driving without their licenses or without insurance," says Mr. Murie.

For more information on the initial Ontario license suspension study, visit:

http://www.madd.ca/english/news/pr/licence_suspension.pdf

For further information, call:

Andrew Murie, MADD Canada
1-800-665-6233, ext. 224 

Jeff Suggett, Synectics Transportation Consultants
(905) 704-0763, ext. 3137

Also see:

Trends in First-Time Disqualifications in Saskatchewan - Executive Summary (PDF)

Trends in First-Time Disqualifications in Saskatchewan - Full Report (Doc)