Impaired driving remains a grave concern in Saskatchewan, but it's possible new federal legislation could mitigate that.

Criminal Code changes come into effect Tuesday, which will change the way police officers deal with potentially-impaired drivers.

Starting today, police will be able to demand a breath sample of anyone operating a motor vehicle that's pulled over for a checkstop or for violation of a traffic law, even if the officer doesn't observe signs of impairment.

If so, they'll have to carry out a standardized field sobriety test, as was previously the case.

The Swift Current Rural RCMP said they investigated 50 incidents related to impaired driving between 2017 and now with 34 of them being charged with impairment.

Mandatory minimum sentences are also increasing for impaired and refusal-to-provide-a-sample convictions.