For the second time in three months, Saskatchewan law enforcement agencies, in conjunction with SGI, conducted a traffic blitz targeting distracted driving.
Following news at the end of 2012 that distracted driving, which includes cell phone use, had surpassed drinking and driving as the number one cause of collisions for the first time, the provincial insurer decided it was time for a crackdown.
Police ticketed more than 280 motorists on March 14 and 15 during an exercise dubbed Operation Hang Up Buckle Up.
Included in a total of 282 citations issued were 84 cell phone violations and 101 seat belt charges. The other 97 tickets involved violations such as impaired driving, speeding and disobeying stop signs or traffic lights.
In January's Operation Hang Up, Buckle-Up, police nabbed 168 motorists committing cell phone and seatbelt offences.
Last year in Saskatchewan, preliminary numbers show distracted driving contributed to 60 deaths and more than 2,100 injuries. Improper or non-seatbelt use contributed to 47 deaths and 255 injuries.
.png;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
