Last month, SGI and law enforcement went after the number two killer on Saskatchewan highways, drunk driving. This month, the focus is on number one.
Distracted driving overtook drunk driving a couple of years ago, primarily due to the proliferation of smart phone use.
According to SGI statistics, in 2014 there were more than 3,900 distracted driving collisions, killing 27 people and injuring more than 700 others.
“The only thing you should be doing behind the wheel is driving,” said Earl Cameron, vice president of the Auto Fund. “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.”
During February, police across the province will be paying special attention to people using cellphones to talk, text, email or surf the Internet while driving. They will also be on watching for people driving without due care and attention. There are numerous distractions that can take a driver’s focus off the road such as eating, putting on makeup, or programming a GPS.
Distracted drivers will receive a ticket. Repeat offenders will have their vehicles seized.
SGI offers the following to help prevent distraction behind the wheel: keep your eyes on the road, not on your phone; have a passenger answer calls or texts for you; if you’re by yourself, put your phone out of reach so you’re not tempted to use it; pull over safely to the side of the road if you must send a text or take a call; wait until you reach your destination to eat, drink or groom or pull over safely to the side of the road if you can’t wait; limit emotional conversations with passengers so you can focus on your driving; program your GPS, radio, etc. before you go, or wait until you’re stopped to do it.
