“Just drive”: SGI and RCMP caution against distracted driving

Distracted driving continues to be an issue in the province, according to Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) and their Traffic Safety Spotlight from October.

A total of 793 distracted driving offences were reported by Police during the month, a record for SGI’s Traffic Safety Spotlights. 688 of those offences were cellphone-related, while the other 105 were for driving without due care and attention. SGI’s Tyler McMurchy said there are two ways to look at the numbers.

“On one hand, it’s clear that police are very good at catching distracted drivers, and they are very focused on that.” McMurchy said. “These numbers are a function of the enforcement that Police are doing when it comes to distracted driving. On the other hand, it’s clear that if so many people weren’t driving distracted, police wouldn’t be able to write this many tickets.”

He said it’s not just cell phones that distract us as drivers.

“That messy burger in your hand can be a distraction, the pet, the dog, or any other kind of animal on your lap might be a distraction,” McMurchy said. “Other passengers can also be a distracting. It’s important for all drivers to just leave their phones alone, avoid all of those other distractions, and just drive.”

Trades in Sask.

Skilled trades need not limited to building homes

Apr 17, 2024

Power outages

Several communities affected by power outages

Apr 17, 2024

UFA coming to Melfort

UFA to build petroleum site along Highway 41 in Melfort

Apr 17, 2024

McMurchy added that keeping your phone out of reach, and letting a passenger handle the GPS, or music can help avoid distracted driving tickets.

Sgt. Conrad Logan with RCMP’s Combined Traffic Services said the numbers are very concerning in Saskatchewan, and people still feel the need to pick up their phone while driving.

“We have stats out there to prove that distracted driving, if you’re on a cell phone or doing something else while you’re driving, it causes accidents,” Logan said. “We’ve been to calls where distracted driving, a person being on their cell phone, they’ve lost their life because they were too busy on their phones and they didn’t pay attention to the roads.”

Logan says the RCMP is cracking down on the “Big Four” in the Melfort area.

“We’ve got some Traffic Services members that are transferring into Melfort,” he said. “And they’re going to be working in the Melfort area, not only Melfort, but the surrounding communities as well. There are five of them that are going in there and they are going to be concentrating on this stuff. Distracted driving is one of the ‘Big Four.’ The ‘Big Four’ is; impaired driving, aggressive driving, seatbelt usage, and distracted driving.”

Logan adds that those four are the leading causes of serious or fatal collisions in Saskatchewan.

The penalties for distracted driving in the province include a $280 fine and four demerit points as well.

mat.barrett@jpbg.ca