Distracted driving still a concern on Saskatchewan roads

Some Saskatchewan drivers don’t seem to be paying attention to distracted driving laws.

According to SGI, police officers in the province issued 837 tickets in August for distracted driving offences. Police handed out 729 tickets for using a cellphone while driving and 108 for driving without due care and attention.

“Tickets for both offences start at $580, and four demerits,” the Crown insurance company said in a release Monday. “A second offence within a year will result in a $1,400 ticket and a seven-day vehicle impoundment.”

The release referred specifically to offences noticed by Regina Police Service Const. Mike (Hawkeye) Seel. In recent weeks, Seel has pulled over a number of distracted drivers, including one who was playing with a Rubik’s cube and one who was engaged in another activity with a passenger.

“When you drive, #JustDrive,” the SGI release said, referring to its campaign against distracted driving. “That means keeping your phone out of your hand and not letting any other distractions or activities take your focus away from safely operating the vehicle.”

Also in August, police in the province detected 494 impaired driving offences (including 212 Criminal Code charges and 282 administrative suspensions), 419 seatbelt or car seat offences, and 4,880 speeding and aggressive driving offences.

SGI said the traffic spotlight for September will be focused on school zone safety, including speed limits and U-turns.

Regina police taking next STEP

The Regina Police Service and some of its partners are holding a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) blitz on Tuesday and Wednesday at various locations in and around the city.

A media release said officers will be looking for offences such as speeding, distracted driving, seatbelt use, unlicensed drivers and commercial vehicle standards.

“As usual, impaired driving enforcement will be a top priority,” the release said.