March traffic spotlight results show major speeding, seatbelt offences

“March madness” is a term generally associated with college basketball, but it might be a more apt description of the huge number of speeding and seatbelt tickets reported by Saskatchewan law enforcement last month.

The March Traffic Safety Spotlight was on distracted driving, but when the results came back, the most distracting thing about them were the 8,734 speeding/aggressive driving offences and the 657 offences for seatbelt or child seat violations.

The speeding and seatbelt numbers are the highest we’ve seen in those categories since Traffic Safety Spotlights started in 2014. That tells us three things:

• the April Traffic Safety Spotlight on speeding and aggressive driving couldn’t get here fast enough;

•There are still way too many people, in the year 2019, who don’t buckle up, even though seatbelts save lives and prevent injuries (just ask Josh Campbell);

• No matter the focus of the month, enforcement of traffic safety on Saskatchewan roads is as strong as it’s ever been.

During March, police also reported 748 distracted driving offences (not a TSS record, but that’s still really high) and 319 impaired driving offences (the only acceptable number of impaired driving offences is zero).

With the Easter long weekend upon us, highways will be busier than usual, and on long weekends the risk of being hurt or killed in a vehicle collision doubles.

So if you’re heading out on the roads this long weekend – or any other time – increase your chances of getting to your destination safely (and ticket-free) by following these simple tips:

• Slow down – obey posted speed limits and enjoy the drive.

• Buckle up – always wear a seatbelt, and make sure your passengers do too.

• Avoid distractions – leave your phone alone.

• Drive sober and drug free – if you’re not going to be sober, plan a safe ride ahead of time.