Figures released from Saskatchewan Government Insurance show that police handed out 224 tickets for impaired driving during January's Traffic Safety Spotlight Program.

It seems like drivers are just not getting the message that planning a safe ride home or deciding to drive sober is easy.

In Shaunavon and area there doesn't seem to be a big change in impaired driving charges. In the Shaunavon Detachment Calls of Service Report for December and January, they handed out five impaired driving charges and 35 traffic and liquor violations. Sergeant Dan Archibald with the Shaunavon Detachment says that's about the normal amount of charges they issue.

"I think that's pretty average. I don't think we've seen an increase or anything like that since the impaired driving laws have changed."

Traffic fatalities caused by impaired driving are 100% preventable and Archibald reminds drivers that there is always a better alternative than getting behind the wheel under the influence.