BACKGROUNDER
SASKATCHEWAN’S STANCE AGAINST DRUG-IMPAIRED DRIVERS
This flowchart has simplified a standard roadside stop when impairment is suspected and is not intended to represent all legal and
technical procedures required by law enforcement.

Police procedure for suspected drug-impaired driving
Police stop driver

Reasonable suspicion of impairment by drugs
Determining factors: observations, smell drugs, erratic driving or behaviour

Roadside Standardized Field
Sobriety Test (SFST)
Evaluates: eye exams, divided attention test,
one leg stand

PASS

or

Federally approved drug-screening device
(saliva test)
Shows a positive or negative result for recent
drug use at a specific level

FAIL
If Drug Recognition Evaluator IS NOT available:

If Drug Recognition Evaluator IS available:

• Arrest driver
• Demand read
• Take driver to nearest police facility
•  Complete 12 step evaluation by a Drug
Recognition Evaluator (DRE)

PASS

Proceed with administrative sanctions
(licence suspensions, vehicle seizures, etc.)
Experienced driver 1st offence:
•  3-day suspension
•  3-day vehicle seizure
•  Driving Without Impairment course
•  Safe Driver Recognition demerits

FAIL

Proceed with criminal charges
3 new Criminal Code offences for
cannabis (THC)
New elements indicated in light green.