RCMP set to begin mandatory breathalyzers for drivers pulled over in Saskatchewan - Anyone pulled over for a traffic violation such as speeding, or broken taillights will now be required to take a breathalyzer.

Article (Saskatoon Star Phoenix)
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Saskatchewan RCMP are going to start using their breathalyzers every time they pull someone over.

The police service announced Thursday in a media release that effective April 1, officers will begin checking all drivers for alcohol during traffic stops.

The policy builds on changes introduced to the federal Criminal Code in 2018, which gave police the authority to require breath samples from drivers without having to first prove a reasonable suspicion of impairment.

“It goes without saying that someone’s ability to mask their impairment should not be the determining factor if someone gets home safely to their family each night,” RCMP Supt. Grant St. Germaine said in the release.

The release states that officers will not be pulling drivers over for the sole purpose of checking them for impairment. Rather, the policy would see drivers asked to provide a breath sample when pulled over for other potential violations, such as speeding, careless driving or malfunctioning brake lights.

The policy is reportedly meant to help address Saskatchewan’s high rates of impaired driving; RCMP in the province laid over 1700 impaired driving charges in 2023, and alcohol was involved in over one-third of all fatal collisions, the release stated.

A breathalyzer test generally takes about 90 seconds. Drivers who refuse to provide a breath sample can face a criminal charge, with potential penalties including suspension of their driver’s licence, vehicle impoundment, demerit points on their driving record and fines.

The RCMP have announced that the policy of demanding roadside breath tests in the course of all traffic stops will continue on “an on-going basis.” The Regina Police Service previously announced its officers would be checking for alcohol during all routine traffic stops for the month of March.

Saskatchewan courts have previously ruled mandatory alcohol screening of drivers is permissible under Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

 

[Ser Prize]

I'm just waiting for the blowback when too many Chugs get popped and their chief cries racism and residential schooling trauma, or whatever bullshit excuse they use these days to not be fucktards, and the policy eventually gets dropped.

Chugs don't obey mayo ghoul laws.

 

[BulkForceFive]

What's the failure rate on breathalyzer machines? Don't tell me it's zero, every single sensor fails at some point, I've seen this happen with things much more crucial like 4-gas detectors.

The police already have plenty of leeway with reasonable suspicion when it comes to drunk drivers; too fast, too slow, weaving, accelerating and slowing down repeatedly. There is absolutely no reason to connect a fix-it ticket to a breathalyzer.

 

[Kosher Dill]

What's the failure rate on breathalyzer machines?

Breathalyzer machines are supposed to have their calibration periodically checked and recorded - the exact frequency varies by state. The state being the party submitting it as evidence, they have the burden of proof to demonstrate that the machine was in working order.
Connecticut actually requires a calibration check before and after every single breath test. Other states have looser or vague requirements like "must be checked periodically".

 

[Dr. Hannibal Buress]

I'm just waiting for the blowback when too many Chugs get popped and their chief cries racism and residential schooling trauma, or whatever bullshit excuse they use these days to not be fucktards, and the policy eventually gets dropped.

Yeah when 80+% of the drunks arrested are chugs they'll cancel it.

 

[Agamemnon Busmalis]

If there were no signs of impairment for probable cause to arrest someone and administer a BAC test, it's hard to build a case on the breathalyzer alone. BAC tests are both the strongest and weakest piece of any DUI case because any errors in calibrating the machine or recording its proper maintenance mean the results are invalid and should be excluded as evidence.

More volume of suspects also means more chances for mistakes resulting in evidence being thrown out. That's not a big deal with minor cases like these but if it happens in a big one where there was injury or death?

 

[Idiotron]

Yes it is, our world is so cucked because everyone decided giving away our rights was worth it to stop anyone feeling scared or uncomfortable ever

You don't have the right to drive while being drunk.

You might walk out tomorrow and be hit by a drink driver, someone might cough in your face with some lethal disease, you might just randomly have a massive heart attack

Those are not the same thing, not even slightly comparable.
Are you trolling or are you serious about this?

 

[Flamin Park]

You don't have the right to drive while being drunk.

Those are not the same thing, not even slightly comparable.
Are you trolling or are you serious about this?

I'm serious

You're a living being and you might die now or tomorrow and that's something you just have to nut up and deal with. Instead we've given ground to these absolute cowards who are afraid the merest hint of autonomic action might mean they don't get to shit themselves in their adult nappies after a long and uneventful life until they die not knowing who they are. Danger is the result of unforseen interactions in the same way that fun is, and these craven cowards have robbed us of the joy and fear and awe of life to make sure they plug every socket and bubble wrap every soft edge and I am sick of it

Embrace your imminent death and celebrate every second of life it doesn't happen. Joy does not spring from safety

 

[Idiotron]

I'm serious

You're a living being and you might die now or tomorrow and that's something you just have to nut up and deal with. Instead we've given ground to these absolute cowards who are afraid the merest hint of autonomic action might mean they don't get to shit themselves in their adult nappies after a long and uneventful life until they die not knowing who they are. Danger is the result of unforseen interactions in the same way that fun is, and these craven cowards have robbed us of the joy and fear and awe of life to make sure they plug every socket and bubble wrap every soft edge and I am sick of it

Embrace your imminent death and celebrate every second of life it doesn't happen. Joy does not spring from safety

That's one of the most retarded takes I've read on KF and that's saying something.
Why don't you just move to the Republic of Congo where you can experience your "unforseen interactions" without the pussification of the civilized world?

 

[Metrics]

What's the failure rate on breathalyzer machines? Don't tell me it's zero, every single sensor fails at some point, I've seen this happen with things much more crucial like 4-gas detectors.

Field samples are precursory to arrest. You'd be brought in for a more calibrated test at a station or submit a blood test.

 

[A Gay Retard]

I too am a libertarian faggot who pounds vodka behind the wheel and then condescends about it online

 

[Flamin Park]

That's one of the most retarded takes I've read on KF and that's saying something.
Why don't you just move to the Republic of Congo where you can experience your "unforseen interactions" without the pussification of the civilized world?

Drink driving laws came in in '66

Wow look at that potential extinction event we so thankfully averted

Atleast most faggots stop sucking cocks while they sleep but you are just brushing the state's balls 24/7 huh

 

[Gog & Magog]

View attachment 5841106

Drink driving laws came in in '66

Wow look at that potential extinction event we so thankfully averted

Atleast most faggots stop sucking cocks while they sleep but you are just brushing the state's balls 24/7 huh

I hope a drunk driver never kills your family or friends.

 

[mindlessobserver]

Nothing wrong with that.
Drunk drivers are scum.

Once more it falls on the American to remind them.

Whether or not you are doing anything wrong is NOT THE POINT. The point is the government should not have the authority to search your body for extraneous crimes.

It goes to the heart of law. The DIVINE Law. Given to us by God.

let he who is without sin throw the first stone.

We are all guilty of SOMETHING. And if the government is given free reign to
look for whatever crime we may have committed, it is inevitable they will eventually find something to hang us with.

It's not about preventing drunk drivers. It's about control.

 

[A Gay Retard]

literally alcohol should be illegal

View attachment 5841106

Drink driving laws came in in '66

Wow look at that potential extinction event we so thankfully averted

Atleast most faggots stop sucking cocks while they sleep but you are just brushing the state's balls 24/7 huh

wait this is just people dying
that's the most useless stat ever lmao you are a dumb homo

 

[Dracula's Spirit Animal]

What if claim I'm first nation indigenous and queer?

You don't need to claim it. We already know.

 

[glass_houses]

I'm confused here. In my country, every time the coppers pull you up they stick breathalysers in your face. At completely random days, times and locations, four or five cop cars will cordon off the side of the road, and wave their little flags for every second or driver to pull over and be breathalysed. If someone refuses- to pull over, be breathalysed, or both- the coppers get very vexed and will hunt you down and slap you with a traffic fine, points off your licence, maybe a court summons if you've really pissed them off.

Very strange.

 

[Exister]

I guess you can no longer drive on the sauce in saskatchewan

 

[Agamemnon Busmalis]

We are all guilty of SOMETHING. And if the government is given free reign to look for whatever crime we may have committed, it is inevitable they will eventually find something to hang us with.

There's a pretty alarming book that came out around 15 years ago called "Three Felonies a Day". Essentially the US federal law code is so opaque and confusing people inadvertently commit federal crimes on a daily basis. The only real limitation preventing the government from abusing it full-stop is the cost and effort of arresting and bringing people to trial, but if they want you they will find something.

Much like the only way they got Al Capone was due to tax evasion.

It's not about preventing drunk drivers. It's about control.

The problem is too many people still think government and law enforcement are "on your side" and have some kind of ethical commitment to personal freedoms. They've don't, they've been given so much power and there is so much obvious corruption this is impossible for anyone informed to believe anymore.

I don't think anyone has an issue with catching and arresting drunk drivers, the issue is giving the government more power to search for and find crimes without probable cause. If there was no evidence of impairment to support probable cause, what justification is there to administer a breathalyzer for a minor traffic violation?

And what recourse do you really have if the cops have a quota to fill and just make it up? People have been wrongfully imprisoned for decades because the prosecution coerced witnesses to perjure themselves for a conviction.

 

[Uncle Tom's Condo]

I'm confused here. In my country, every time the coppers pull you up they stick breathalysers in your face. At completely random days, times and locations, four or five cop cars will cordon off the side of the road, and wave their little flags for every second or driver to pull over and be breathalysed. If someone refuses- to pull over, be breathalysed, or both- the coppers get very vexed and will hunt you down and slap you with a traffic fine, points off your licence, maybe a court summons if you've really pissed them off.

Very strange.

your country sounds mad gay,

The problem is too many people still think government and law enforcement are "on your side" and have some kind of ethical commitment to personal freedoms. They've don't, they've been given so much power and there is so much obvious corruption this is impossible for anyone informed to believe anymore.

any Foundational American who trusts the cops after the Summer of George, or Old Stock Canadian/Canadien after Truckagedon, is a retard.

 

[Agamemnon Busmalis]

any Foundational American who trusts the cops after the Summer of George, or Old Stock Canadian/Canadien after Truckagedon, is a retard.

The writing was on the wall when they started kitting out police with enormous amounts of military equipment. Where did people think their loyalties would lie after this? Their fellow citizens or the state showering them with grants, APCs, and guns? It's a lot easier to be a soulless weapon of state power when your face is concealed behind a shield and heavy body armor.

Burn, loot and murder? No problem, COVID doesn't spread in riots the Science says so. God help you if you wanted to visit a family member in the hospital, go to church or the gym, or the beach, or even mow your lawn though. All for a fucking flu.