While driving, many people have taken advantage of drive-thru convenience at their favorite fast food joint to pick up a quick burger, fries and a drink. Happily munching away on their fries or sipping on their coffee as they navigate their way through traffic. However many people in Saskatchewan and other provinces are unaware that those actions also fall under driving without due care and attention according to the Traffic Safety Act and could land you with a very large fine, vehicle seizure and more.
According to SGI, distracted driving was a factor in more than 6,000 collisions and 22 deaths in Saskatchewan throughout 2018. Despite higher penalties, the numbers were not much better than in 2017 where there were 6,399 distracted driving-related crashes and 26 deaths.
SGI is hoping to reduce those numbers further by applying an even higher penalty for distracted driving starting on February 1st, 2020, which will start at $580 for a first offense; second offense within a year of being convicted of the first: $1,400 ticket, plus an additional four demerits, plus an immediate seven-day vehicle seizure (approx. cost $400); and third offense within a year of conviction of the first: $2,100 ticket, plus four more demerits and another seven-day vehicle seizure.
Distracted driving is not limited to cell phone use. There are 2 laws in Saskatchewan that address distracted driving: cell phone legislation and driving without due care legislation. Since 2010 it has been illegal to use, hold, view or manipulate a hand-held cellphone while driving, with the exception of police, fire, and emergency medical personnel to perform their duties. However it is not against the law to eat, put on lipstick, sip on your coffee and/or simply adjust the radio while driving, etc., but if your behavior takes your attention away from the road, and poses a risk to public safety, law enforcement may give you a ticket for driving without due care and attention. Even being distracted by your passengers so you are no longer paying attention to the road but rather the conversation in the vehicle, or adjusting your GPS, petting the dog in your lap, and yes even smoking can be considered distracted driving if you are not paying attention to the road and/or your surroundings.
Many people do these things every day while in their vehicle and would most likely be surprised to receive a ticket for any of the above mentioned however it only takes a second for situations to change dramatically on the road and it is your responsibility, as a driver, to always be prepared for any situation.
With passengers or without it is your responsibility to drive with the utmost care and attention. If you must add a distraction such as eating, pull over to a safe location and do not risk the lives of yourself, your passengers or others on the road.
Written by: Bobbi - Lynne McGarry
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