Law enforcement looking for speeders in July

Law enforcement agencies plan to step up enforcement of speeding in the month of July.

That is the word from SGI who say police will be watching for those exceeding the speed limit throughout the province during the month.

In a statement, Andrew Cartmell, president and CEO of SGI, said, "speed is a factor in more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities in Saskatchewan."

"During the summer months, with increased traffic on our roads and highways, speeding is simply not worth the risk," said Cartmell. "Plan ahead. Build in more travel time. Slow down and obey posted speed limits to keep yourself and other road users safe."

According to the three-year average compiled between 2010-12, over 2,500 speed-related collisions happen annually on Saskatchewan roads, claiming 46 lives and injuring over 1,000 others.

SGI cites figures of 29 per cent of speed-related collisions resulting in injury or death compared with only 16 per cent for non-speed related collisions. For every 100 collisions due to unsafe speed, an average of 42 people are injured or killed, according to SGI.

The speed-related changes came in as a result of provincial traffic legislation that took effect June 27.

Those include lowering the speed threshold in the Safe Driver Recognition (SDR) program from 50 km/h over the posted speed limit down to 35 km/h over, resulting in four demerit points under the SDR program and Graduated Driver Licensing Improvement and Driver Improvement programs.

There is a new offence for driving double or more over the speed limit resulting in four demerit points. Exceeding the speed limit by more than double also results in a seven-day vehicle seizure on the second or subsequent offence within a year.

Exceeding the speed limit by over 50 km/h results in a seven-day vehicle seizure on each offence.

As well, there is a crackdown on any contest of speed or racing with other vehicles. That results in a 30-day vehicle seizure for each offence.

Those changes are in addition to some tough measures cracking down on drinking and driving in Saskatchewan. As well, there are moves towards greater enforcement with photo radar being used at certain locations to catch speeders.

Distracted driving, impaired driving and occupant restraints will also be a focus for law enforcement in July, according to SGI.

More information about the new traffic laws can be found at SGI's website at www.sgi.sk.ca.