Police officers across Saskatchewan will be on the lookout for distracted driving, the number one contributing factor in crashes in the province, this month.
Police will watch for drivers using their cellphones to talk or text while driving, and those otherwise driving without due care and attention.
“You hear your cellphone ring or the ping of an incoming text, and it’s tempting to answer,” said Andrew Cartmell, president and CEO of Saskatchewan Government Insurance. “Not only is it against the law, but it’s incredibly unsafe, so if you must send a text or take a call, pull over safely to the side of the road before doing so.”
Fines levied
The fine for violating cellphone or driving without due care and attention legislation is $280 and results in four demerit points under SGI’s Safe Driver Recognition program.
Depending where a driver sits on the safety rating scale, he or she may also have to pay a penalty or lose insurance discounts.
With new traffic laws now in effect, drivers also face vehicle seizures of seven days on a second or subsequent offence for cellphone use and seven days on a third or subsequent offence for driving without due care and attention.
Motorists are reminded that cellphone legislation allows experienced drivers to use hands-free devices while driving, but new drivers (those in the graduated driver’s licensing program) cannot.
SGI recommends that even when using hands-free devices, drivers still safely pull over.
