SGI is keying in on impaired driving for this month's Traffic Safety Spotlight.

Nearly 6,600 people have been injured in impaired driving collisions over the last ten years in Saskatchewan. While the number of injuries has continually trended downward over the past decade, there were still 368 people injured from impaired driving collisions on Saskatchewan roads in 2017.

One person that felt the effects of drinking and driving ten years ago at the age of 18, was Nolan Barnes. After a night of drinking and drug use in Saskatoon, Barnes was a passenger in an SUV driven by an impaired driver. While en route back to Yorkton, the vehicle crashed, killing Nolan’s friend and injuring eight passengers.

"I was one of those people who didn't really think it would affect my life and especially didn't think it would affect anyone else's life. When it did, My family and I were left with the blanket of the unknown and it turned my life around," stated Barnes.

After the crash, Barnes underwent surgery, two weeks in an induced coma, two months in the hospital, followed by months of rehab. Barnes would eventually end up in a wheelchair.

"To experience it yourself is something I can't describe and I wouldn't wish on anyone else," Barnes explained.

When heading out for a night on the town, make sure to plan a safe ride home. Drinking and driving can be prevented when you plan ahead said Minister responsible for SGI, Joe Hargrave. 

"This is not an accident, people can stop drinking and driving from happening by just not driving, calling a cab, or even a friend," Hargrave said