“Due to the seriousness of the consequences that can result from distracted driving, we do not warn drivers in practice if they are caught. We treat it as something proportional to the severity of impaired driving, and that is why we take it very seriously. For those who are still a little vague about distracted driving laws in Saskatchewan, some experts have teamed up to clarify some questions about the rules and consequences. READ MORE: One year on, Manitoba`s distracted driving laws still catch motorists A second distracted ticket in a year costs $1,400 and results in a seven-day, four-demerit vehicle seizure. Owners are responsible for all garnishment and towing costs. However, using a phone while it`s mounted could still result in distracted tickets, so people need to be aware of their own limitations as drivers, he said. OPP statistics reported to SGI show that more people in the province are driving distracted. The insurer said more than 1,000 distraction tickets were issued in May and July of this year. The vast majority of drivers used their mobile phones while driving.
McMurchy adds that the goal of increasing fines is to prevent people from driving distracted, not to generate revenue. @SPSTraffic @SGItweets On Oct. 23, Hargrave said he hoped for an immediate reduction in distracted driving once the new penalties went into effect. Despite previously expressed hopes for an immediate decrease in distracted driving, Hargrave said it will likely take longer to see results. When it comes to mobile phones, it is illegal to hold, look at or manipulate them while driving. Only experienced drivers can use the hands-free functions on devices mounted via voice command or one-touch. When driving, you have to do more than two things at the same time – steering, braking, shifting gears and observing traffic are done simultaneously. When you add distractions like eating, grooming, talking, or texting on cell phones, the results can be disastrous. The driver must devote his full attention to driving. Effective February 1, 2020, a first-time offender who drives distracted will receive a $580 ticket and four demerit points.
If you have a criminal record (within a 12-month period) for using electronic communication devices while driving or without due diligence and you receive another ticket for any of these offences, the vehicle you are driving will result in the forfeiture of the vehicle you are driving for seven days, regardless of who owns the vehicle. Saskatchewan drivers will be encouraged to put their phones away starting in February, as distracted driving fines will more than double. In 2018, distracted driving or inattention was a factor in 6,000 collisions across the province, resulting in 774 injuries and 22 fatalities, according to SGI. Distracted driving set three monthly records for the number of tickets issued in 2019, according to SGI. Hands-free use of mobile phones while driving is permitted for experienced drivers1, including: In addition to the 22 distracted driving deaths last year, SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance) reported being involved in more than 6,000 collisions and 774 injuries. “We know that with impaired driving, when we increased penalties for impaired driving, the number of fines remained high because we increased enforcement, but the number of deaths on our roads decreased. So we know that punishment is a key factor, but education and awareness are also crucial factors. Prince Edward Island increased its fines in 2015, with a near-immediate drop in distracted driving convictions. Prince Edward Island had its highest conviction rate in 2015 at 327.
The following year, the number of convictions fell to 200 and decreased every year. Each demerit point on your licence also has a fee of $50 for each point less than zero. So if you were more than one, a distracted driving conviction would result in three negatives – a $150 fee. “It`s something I try to have fun with my Twitter account, but also educate people about what you can and can`t do on a regular basis. It reminds me a lot of impaired driving,” said Seel. While penalties for distracted driving will be tougher starting Saturday, current laws regarding distracted driving will remain the same. Only 83 people were convicted of distracted driving in 2018. “It`s the driving behavior that results from anything that is a potential distraction.” Drivers are required to drive with caution and attention. Common causes of distracted driving include things like texting or talking on the phone, eating, drinking, grooming, smoking, petting, and tuning into a radio or other music player.
Driving without care and attention, regardless of the cause, is a road safety offence. Certain types of distraction, such as the use of a mobile phone, are expressly prohibited. “We hope that by introducing harsher sentences – and particularly harsh penalties for repeat offenders – fewer people will be distracted and fewer tickets will be issued,” he said. “Distracted driving. is one of the most dangerous behaviors you can use on the road. This is at the peak of impaired driving when it comes to deaths. “Despite increased police enforcement and significant outreach efforts by SGI, 22 people lost their lives on Saskatchewan roads in 2018 due to distracted driving or inattention. That`s 22 deaths too many.
Distracted driving goes far beyond using a cell phone while driving. SGI`s website has a list of a few items that may constitute a criminal offense, including: This table shows the state`s laws on distracted driving. Some places have additional regulations. The application type is also specified. The Ontario Provincial Police reported a similar trend — fewer tickets, but officials are still seeing many more distracted drivers than they issue tickets. Saskatchewan`s distracted driving laws will be stricter under the new rules, which come into effect Saturday. Manitoba Public Insurance said convictions for distracted driving are similar from year to year as fines have increased, but about 90 per cent of convictions were for first-time offenders. In 2019, three monthly records were set in terms of the number of distraction tickets issued. The second and third offences for distracted driving within one year of the first conviction also result in a one-week vehicle seizure. McMurchy estimates there were 91 holdbacks in 2019.
A Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study on cell phone distraction while driving found that drivers who send text messages are 23 times more likely to collide than those who don`t. Making phone calls with a mobile phone increases the likelihood of a driver collision by 3 to 6 times higher. ~SGI~ Based on the experience of other provinces that have increased their fines for distraction, it takes time for drivers to hang up. Currently, a distraction ticket is worth $280, four demerit points and a temporary seizure of a vehicle for repeat offenders. A PDF table of the state`s distracted driving laws is available for download here. READ MORE: ANALYSIS: Harsher penalties alone are unlikely to curb distracted driving Currently, a distracted ticket* costs the recipient $280 plus four demerits, with vehicles forfeited for repeat offenders. Starting February 1, 2020, the cost of a ticket will more than double and the cost of subsequent tickets will increase. Here are the consequences distracted drivers can expect: Preemption laws: Some states have preemption laws that prohibit local jurisdictions from issuing their own distracted driving bans. States with such laws include Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Oregon and South Carolina. February`s Road Safety Spotlight keeps Saskatchewan law enforcement on the lookout for distracted driving.
“We hope to address some of people`s fears about distracted driving. the cost of those tickets — it`s not a joke,” McMurchy said. Motorists must yield the right of way to pedestrians, obey traffic lights and signs, and obey speed limits. These include reducing speed limits for school and construction zones. It is against road safety laws to follow another vehicle too closely, drive too fast for the conditions, or make a turn or lane change without signage and make sure it is safe. Highway safety laws also stipulate that the driver has the right of way at uncontrolled intersections. READ MORE: `It`s unfortunate, but it`s necessary`: Regina police traffic officer on tougher backdoor driving penalties However, fines for distracted drivers changed in the province on Feb. 1. Motorists may receive a driving ticket without due diligence and an attention badge if an officer observes behaviour that has been shown to distract a driver from the road to the point where they are operating their vehicle in an unsafe manner. In almost all cases, the registered owner is responsible for paying for the ticket, even if he did not drive. However, as there is no determination as to who was driving, the registered owner does not lose any points under the Safe Driving Recognition Program. Tyler McMurchy, director of media relations for Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI), said there are still many conversations about cell phone laws that haven`t changed since January 2017.