Distracted driving is the focus of October’s Traffic Safety Spotlight. Throughout the month, police across the province will be using a variety of tactics to catch distracted drivers in the act, including surveillance from unmarked vehicles and plainclothes officers on the sidewalks. Regina Police Service is running “Operation Bus Cop,” with eagle-eye officers watching for distracted drivers from city buses.
Police will be on the lookout for people using handheld cellphones to talk, text, email or browse online while driving. But distracted driving isn’t just limited to using a phone.
It is illegal for drivers in Saskatchewan to use, view, hold or manipulate a cellphone while driving. This means that, even if you’re simply holding a cellphone and not using it, you can still be charged. Drivers caught using their cellphone while driving for the second time within one year will have the vehicle they are driving seized for seven days. Experienced drivers can only use a cellphone if it is mounted to their visor or dash, and they use the voice-activated or one-touch functions. Learner and novice drivers are not allowed to use a cellphone of any kind, not even hands-free.
The penalty for distracted driving is a $280 fine and four demerit points under SGI’s Safe Driver Recognition program. Everyone can drive free of distractions by following these tips: don’t use your cellphone, even at a red light — the law applies whenever you’re in control of a vehicle; put the phone away — silence your phone and put it out of reach before getting behind the wheel; focus on driving — limit distractions like eating, grooming, or having emotional conversations with passengers; have a designated texter — let your passenger reply to messages and operate the radio and GPS; pull over first — if you need to make a call or take care of children or pets, don’t do it while driving; and call out friends and family — if you see them using a cellphone behind the wheel, speak up! It may save their life.
Visit SGI’s website at www.sgi.sk.ca to learn more about distracted driving. During the August spotlight on impaired driving police reported 390 impaired driving offences; 4,243 tickets for speeding or aggressive driving; 360 tickets for inappropriate or no seatbelt/child restraint; and 459 tickets for distracted driving.
