SGI to focus on distracted driving in March

Police across Saskatchewan are focusing on distracted driving for their traffic safety spotlight in March.

SGI is reminding drivers it’s illegal to hold, use, manipulate or view your phone while driving, after the Traffic Safety Act was strengthened in 2017.

The Crown corporation said driver distraction or inattention is consistently a leading factor in collisions, injuries and fatalities on Saskatchewan roads. Each distracted driving ticket is $280, and receiving two tickets within one year results in your vehicle being impounded for seven days. Drivers are also on the hook for the cost of towing and storage, which SGI said usually costs at least $400.

Laura Anaka is one of the 87 drivers who had their vehicles impounded last year. SGI said that’s the highest number of cell-phone-ticket impoundments imposed since it became law.

Anaka was first caught holding her phone while driving with her three-year-old daughter in the back seat. In a video made by SGI, Anaka said she was very defensive and gave the police officer a lot of attitude in her frustration.

“I don’t feel like I handled that. I just remember being really angry, and then thinking about, like, this is going to cost me so much money,” she said.

Just two months later, Anaka was caught again by the same police officer for holding her phone near the steering wheel in her new hot pink case.

“I didn’t feel as angry. I just felt more ashamed and embarrassed,” said Anaka.

Her vehicle was immediately towed for the seven-day impound. Anaka admits she didn’t know that was the consequence and thought it would be just another ticket.

Standing on the side of the road watching her car get towed away, Anaka said she felt guilty. “I should have known prior that I can’t do this. I’m so lucky that my vehicle was only impounded for seven days and I wasn’t on my phone while going through a school zone.”

Driving distracted is a mistake she said she won’t make a third time. Now she keeps her phone in her purse, out of sight, out of mind.

SGI gave some phone-related tips for drivers:

• Put your phone in the glove box, a purse, even the trunk. Or hand it off to a passenger before you begin driving.
• Put it on “Do not disturb”, or Airplane mode before you set out.
• If you need to use it, safely pull over to the side of the road.
• Set your playlist and your GPS before you go.
• Use voice-activated functions to change songs or get directions.