Tougher drunk driving laws expected from the Sask. government Monday

Drunk driving is the number one killer on Saskatchewan roads and stiffer penalties and stricter laws are coming from the provincial government tomorrow.

On Monday, minister responsible for SGI Joe Hargrave and Justice Minister and Attorney General Gordon Wyant are expected to introduce new laws around drunk driving. Representatives from law enforcement, MADD and SADD will be in attendance, along with some families personally impacted by impaired driving.

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According to SGI, in 2015 there were 53 people killed and 562 injuries in Saskatchewan crashes related to drunk driving.

The new conference comes in light of a string of impaired driving incidents resulting in deaths on Saskatchewan highways.

One of the worst drunk driving crashes happened in Saskatoon in January when Catherine McKay collided with a car carrying four members of the Van De Vorst family on Highway 11 just north of the city.

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McKay pleaded guilty to four counts of impaired driving causing death and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

On a rural road near Regina last month, Tanner Kaufmann, 37, was killed in a crash between two pickup trucks. Colby Heid, 19, has since been charged with impaired driving causing death.

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On Oct. 8, another life was claimed after an alleged impaired driver slammed into the back of another car waiting at a red light at the intersection of Albert Street and 25th Avenue. Brendan Sugar, 28, faces charges of impaired driving causing death.

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Theseincidents come after Saskatchewan's former deputy premier Don McMorris was pulled over and charged with impaired driving in August.

McMorris was behind the wheel of a government vehicle at the time of the arrest. McMorris said he was driving back from the Fort Qu'Appelle region when he was pulled over in a construction zone. McMorris hada blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit and was seen weaving across the road on the day he was charged.

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McMorris pleaded guilty to the charge, and paid a $1,820 fine. He's also had his licence suspended for one year.

Following the decision Andrew Murie, CEO of MADD Canada called for a code of conduct for Saskatchewan politicians.

• MADD wants code of conduct for Sask. politicians

Murie also recommended the province establish a zero tolerance for alcohol for drivers under 22 years old, an expansion of the tip line for members of the public to report impaired drivers, and toughening up the rules for roadside prohibitions and tougher penalties for impounding vehicles.