Distracted Driving Targeted In June

It may have been a couple of months since many people did much driving or since SGI ran there last monthly Safety Spotlight but be warned it is back.

For the month if June the Safety Spotlight is on distracted driving with a theme of drivers physically distancing themselves from their phones.

Focus on the road; physically distance yourself from your phone while driving

“The June Traffic Spotlight on distracted driving coincides with Saskatchewan gradually re-opening; drivers can expect more traffic, along with greater numbers of motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians taking advantage of the nicer weather,” Penny McCune, Chief Operating Officer of the Auto Fund said in a statement. “We encourage drivers to keep their focus on the road by avoiding their phones and other distractions.”

Distracted driving is a factor in many crashes - all of which are avoidable. To help people get the message about the problem of distracted driving the Province has increased the fines.

Feb. 1 may seem like a lifetime ago, but that’s when Saskatchewan’s penalties for distracted driving increased significantly.

In these uncertain times, here’s one thing to be absolutely certain of: holding, viewing, using, or manipulating a handheld cellphone while operating a motor vehicle will result in a $580 ticket, along with four demerits for a first-time offender, with even stiffer fines for repeat offences (see attached chart).

The fines also apply to anyone getting a ticket for driving without due care and attention.

Distracted driving is one of the leading factors in collisions, injuries and fatalities on Saskatchewan roads. We’ve all spent the last several months looking out for each other. Let’s maintain that mindset when we get in the driver’s seat.