This month’s traffic safety spotlight in Saskatchewan is targeting distracted drivers. During February, police will be scanning the roads for people using cellphones while driving.
Traffic authorities will also be on the lookout for motorists eating, programming their GPS or just simply driving without due care and attention. These offences or cellphone use while driving could result in a $280 fine and four demerit points for breaking the law.
According to Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) statistics, there were over 3,900 distracted driving crashes in 2014 that killed 27 people. Additionally, it’s the number one contributing factor of collisions in the province.
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“It only takes a second for the unthinkable to happen – focus your attention on the task of driving to help keep everyone on the road safe,” SGI auto fund vice president Earl Cameron said.
“The only thing you should be doing behind the wheel is driving.”
SGI is recommending drivers to keep their eyes on the road instead of on devices while commuting. Have a passenger answer calls or texts for those behind the wheel or pull over to use cellphones.
Two province-wide traffic spotlights also targeted distracted drivers last year. February 2015 saw 245 tickets issued while police caught 445 motorists in October 2015.