Paying distracted driving fine off through Fine Option a fine option

REGINA Given the increase in distracted driving fines, the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan is reminding the public the Fine Option program is available.

At the start of February, the province increased the fines for distracted driving — which includes cellphone use — by $300 for first-time offenders. That means a jump from $280 to $580.

With that increase, the John Howard Society (JHS) — which runs the Fine Option program — expects more people might find themselves in a situation where they need an alternative means of paying. CEO Shawn Fraser said the JHS is preparing itself for a potential influx of people seeking an alternative to paying.

“Sometimes people choose this program because they have to, and I think that’s what we would expect the increase on,” he said. “You know, $580 for a lot of people, they may just not have means, they may not have that type of money kicking around.”

According to stats from SGI, police in Saskatchewan reported 10,055 tickets for distracted driving through Traffic Safety Spotlights (the cutoff deadline for the spotlights means some offences might not be included in that figure). Distracted driving tickets account for both cellphone use and driving without due care and attention. Of those tickets, 7,783 were for cellphone use.

Last year saw a significant increase in the average number of tickets per month. In 2017, the monthly average was 459. The following year saw 630. In 2019, the monthly average was 838. Part of the 2019 increase was due to three record months, each above 1,000.

The average for November 2019 to January 2020 was lower than most of 2019 at 565, but an SGI spokesman said it’s too early to call it a trend, in part since the fine increase announcement was made in mid-november.

Fraser said Fine Option — which credits each hour worked at the minimum wage rate — is available in various locations, and each has a range of places people can work off their fines.

Saskatoon and Regina alone each have dozens of volunteer partners and opportunities, from packing boxes at the Food Bank to working at the Saskatoon Jazz Festival.

Fraser said Fine Option staff work with those using the program and partnering agencies to line people up with work that’s meaningful and even enjoyable.