With an increase in events that may involve alcohol and drug use, SGI is encouraging people to make the smart decision and get a safe ride home this holiday season.

SGI Manager of Media Relations Heather Hubic says that there are many different options people can use for a safe ride home.

“There’s a lot of great options that you can take to make sure you’re getting home safe. That may be designating a sober driver, maybe volunteering to be one, you can call on a friend who’s sober to drive you home or ask a family member if they’re sober and can safely get you home. You can take a cab, there’s lots of great ride share options, or maybe even hop on a bus and use some public transit. If none of those are available, you can always stay the night at a friend’s place.”

She adds that SGI has made a few partnerships over the holiday season to help prevent impaired driving.

“We also partner with organizations like Operation Red Nose in Saskatoon, who is a great resource for people to find a safe ride home. You can call them, and they can get a volunteer to come get you and your vehicle home safe.”

Hubic says there should be discussions about safe driving habits all year round and not just during the holidays.

“It’s not a one-time a year only message, it really should continue to be part of our conversations with our family and our friends and in our communities that it’s never okay to drive impaired and that there’s always a better option. What you can do is make sure you’re also advocating for that within your friend group an within your family members, making sure that they get home safe and making sure they keep others in our community safe as well.”

Saturday, December 6 is also National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day.