It has been widely reported that for the first time ever impaired driving was not the leading cause of fatalities on Saskatchewan roads in 2012. Indeed, preliminary statistics from Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) indicate distracted driving accounted for 57 deaths while alcohol was the primary factor in 54.
However, a spokesperson for the crown corporation suggests those numbers might be slightly misleading.
"Alcohol is still the number one single leading factor," said Rebecca Schulz, SGI media relations manager.
That is because, she said, distracted driving encompasses a number of different factors including persons, objects or events outside the vehicle; distraction from passengers; looking for or at something in the vehicle; adjusting radio, climate or vehicle controls; smoking, eating or drinking and; talking or texting on cell phones.
Schulz also pointed out collisions frequently have multiple contributing factors.
In 2012 there was a total of 173 traffic fatalities. The primary causes were distracted driving (57), alcohol (54), not wearing or improperly using seat belts (52) and speeding (37).
She said another reason distracted driving may be growing relative to impaired driving is social stigma. Although drunk driving remains a huge problem, it has declined significantly as it has become socially unacceptable. The same cannot be said yet for distracted driving, but police and SGI are working on that.
During the month-long traffic safety blitz dubbed Operation Overdrive in December, police stopped more than 8,600 vehicles and issued 2,416 tickets.
"Between education and enforcement, we hope we can bring those numbers down," said Schulz.
The 2,416 tickets included 217 for impaired driving, 188 roadside suspensions, 621 for aggressive driving (speeding, driving without due care and attention, unsafe passing, failing to stop at stop signs, red lights, etc.), 133 for improper or non-seatbelt use, 46 for cell phone use and 41 for open alcohol in a vehicle.
The remaining 1,170 were for other infractions.
Cell phones remain a particular concern for law enforcement. One study out of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute reported drivers who text while operating a vehicle are 23 times more likely to be in a collision. Talking on a handheld phone puts drivers at a three to six times higher risk.
And even though using hands-free devices is legal, SGI recommends pulling over for optimal safety.
