Distraction responsible for one in five collision-related injuries
Regina, SK (Aug. 3, 2022) – Trends change quickly on social media. But their staying power lasts a lot longer than your commute. Rest assured, your ingenious TikTok dance or photos of your delicious lunch can wait until you arrive at your destination.
Scrolling through and posting to your social media channels is not a priority when you’re driving. In fact, it’s not even an option.
Offenders face a $580 ticket and four demerits for either:
- holding, using, manipulating or viewing a handheld cellphone, or
- driving without due care and attention.
Repeat offences within one year result in significantly higher ticket costs ($1,400 for a second ticket; $2,100 for a third), and seven-day vehicle impoundments. No Instagram reel could possibly be worth that.
The penalties are stiff because distracted driving is an all-too-common safety hazard on our roads and highways.
Over the past five years (2017-2021), an average of 780 people were injured each year in collisions caused by driver distraction and inattention on Saskatchewan roads. That’s one out of every five auto vehicle injuries. Distracted driving also results in an average of 21.6 fatalities per year.
Eliminate distractions before you start driving. Respond to texts, check your notifications, make sure your passengers (young children, pets) are safely secured so you can solely focus on driving once you’re in motion.
“A distracted driver is a threat to everyone on the road,” said Barbara Cross, Chief Operating Officer of SGI Auto Fund. “Traffic lights, pedestrians, speed limits and other drivers are just a few of the factors drivers need to be aware of when driving. When your attention is elsewhere, these can be missed.”
Distracted driving is the focus of August’s Traffic Safety Spotlight. Police across Saskatchewan will be looking for drivers using their cellphones or distracted in other ways.
Follow SGI’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more information throughout the month, and check out SGI’s latest public safety awareness campaign urging motorists to “Just Drive.”
About SGI CANADA
SGI CANADA is the property and casualty insurance division of SGI, offering products in five Canadian provinces. It operates as SGI CANADA in Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario, and also as Coachman Insurance Company in Ontario. Products are sold through a network of independent insurance brokers. For more information, visit www.sgicanada.ca.
Source: Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI)
Tags: distracted driving, driving safety, SGI
