The fourth co-ordinated traffic safety blitz in the province, dubbed Operation March Madness, saw police and traffic enforcement officers pay close attention to traffic violations, and resulted in 943 tickets province-wide.
The tickets, issued for speeding, running red lights, failing to stop at stop signs and racing or stunting, were given to a total of 754 motorists. Four hundred and seventy-two tickets were issued for speeding, totaling half of all tickets, 243 were issued for disobeying stop signs, 23 tickets were issued for disobeying traffic lights, nine were issued for crossing a solid line, four for passing on the right and three for failing to stop for police. The remaining 189 tickets were given for not wearing seatbelts, cell phone use while driving and driving without due care and attention.
The last similar operation, Operation Crossroads, only resulted in 446 tickets, including 339 for violations at intersections.
"Police services across the province do a great job of working collaboratively with our communities to come up with important traffic safety concerns for us to highlight each month," explained Chief Troy Hagen, president of the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police.
"Aggressive driving was another one of these concerns and the blitz reminded drivers to be more careful and considerate on the road."
Andrew Cartmell, president and CEO of SGI, also justified the traffic blitzes.
"These traffic blitzes are proving to be effective in raising awareness of important traffic safety issues. It was a good reminder for motorists that we are all responsible for our own actions behind the wheel."
