Police again cracking down on seatbelt and cellphone use

Seatbelt violations and cellphone use while driving are the focus of this month's traffic safety blitz, which runs November 14 and 15 province-wide.

"Law enforcement has decided to once again focus on two major contributors to injuries and fatalities in vehicle collisions - seatbelts and cellphone use while driving," said Andrew Cartmell, President and CEO of SGI. "We are going to continue to work with law enforcement on these vital issues, as we know that it requires both education and enforcement to create change in terms of driving habits."

Distracted driving and seatbelt violations are two of the leading traffic safety issues on Saskatchewan roads. On average, distracted driving, which includes cellphone use, contributes to more than 9,400 collisions each year, resulting in about 2,400 injuries and 50 deaths. Seven per cent of all injuries and 35 per cent of all fatalities in collisions involve improper seatbelt use, resulting in 448 injuries and 55 fatalities.

"Police will continue to enforce the laws on cellphone use and seatbelt violations, but personal responsibility is critically important," said Regina Police Chief Troy Hagen, on behalf of the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police. "Why would drivers deliberately choose to risk their own safety and that of their families and neighbours?"

October's blitz, Operation Fall Frenzy, saw law enforcement officials issue 1,079 tickets to Saskatchewan motorists including 620 for aggressive driving infractions, 137 seatbelt violations, 66 cellphone violations and 54 for impaired driving.