Saskatoon has begun 2026 with a significant change to how traffic stops are conducted. As of January 1, the Saskatoon Police Service is implementing Mandatory Alcohol Screening, allowing officers to require a roadside breath test from any driver they lawfully stop, without needing prior suspicion of impairment. The measure is intended to address impaired driving and enhance road safety. Christopher Avery, an Ontario-based DUI lawyer who focuses on cases of impaired driving defence in Ontario, spoke in the CTV News coverage to explain the legal context and practical implications of the new policy. He noted that drivers who refuse to provide a breath sample can face refusal charges, which in some cases carry penalties comparable to or more serious than blowing over the legal limit.
The rollout in Saskatchewan reflects a similar deployment throughout Ontario over the last three to four years, and continues the national conversation about impaired driving enforcement and the legal responsibilities drivers face during roadside stops.
