TIME TO CLAMP DOWN ON DISTRACTED DRIVING

Re: Record number of traffic tickets handed out to distracted drivers

In the April 24 StarPhoenix, the above mentioned article appeared. It indicated that last month a safety campaign “nabbed” a record number of distracted drivers. Of the charges laid, 583 were charges for use of cellphones. The resulting fine is $280 for a first offence. This translates into $163,240 in fines.

Surely this amount of revenue can justify this being a yearround campaign, not just a onemonth campaign. The extension of the campaign is even more important in view of the fact, (indicated in the article), that distracted driving was the leading cause of all traffic collisions in 2016. These collisions resulted in 42 deaths and 1,206 injuries, according to SGI statistics.

More to the essence of this issue, is that using a cellphone (distracted driving) is really impaired driving and as the leading cause of all traffic collisions, it should be treated as such. The penalty for this should be the same as for impaired driving: six months suspended licence for first offence, in addition to the corresponding fine.

If the penalty was increased, as well as the enforcement, (which as outlined could be self funded), this behaviour may have a better chance of being reversed.

Ken Morken, Saskatoon

Reporter Andrea Hill tests out the challenges of distracted driving on a course set up by Saskatoon Police and SGI last fall. Letter writer Ken Morken is calling for tougher penalties for distracted drivers. MICHELLE BERG/FILES