Saskatoon police ticket 56 drivers for cellphone use during one-day blitz

Saskatoon police teamed up with Saskatchewan RCMP officers on Friday to crack down on drivers using their cellphones while behind the wheel.

Officers handed out 56 tickets during the blitz to drivers for holding, using and/or viewing their cellphones.

READ MORE: Sask. distracted driving charges up 197 per cent over 2016

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The joint project included members of the Saskatoon police traffic unit and RCMP motorcycle officers.

The fine for distracted driving is $280 along with four demerit points.

A second offence within a one-year period will result in the vehicle being impounded for seven days.

READ MORE: Distracted driving ticket record set in Saskatchewan

In March, SGI said police around the province issued 523 tickets for distracted driving – 441 for using a cellphone while driving, during the monthly traffic safety spotlight.

In 2015, distracted driving was the leading cause of crashes in Saskatchewan and the second-leading cause of fatal collisions, next to impaired driving, according to SGI.