Saskatoon ticketing high versus provincial numbers

Saskatoon police officers are issuing more traffic tickets than ever, but their ramped-up enforcement efforts are more than offset by a massive decline in the number of tickets issued provincewide over the last two years.

Government records show a gradual increase in the number of tickets issued under the Traffic Safety Act, from slightly more than 100,000 during the 2006-07 fiscal year to a peak of more than 240,000 in 2015-16.

Then the number started to decline to about 200,000 during the 2016-17 fiscal year, then to 181,849 in 2017-18, the last year for which complete data are available. That represents a 25 per cent decline over two years.

The provincial Ministry of Justice and Saskatchewan Government Insurance were not prepared to offer a theory on the matter. Spokespeople for both organizations even stopped short of calling it a trend.

“While SGI does watch and track data related to offences, collisions, injuries and fatalities, at this time we don’t have enough evidence to suggest a cause,” spokeswoman Jennifer Rathwell said.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the amount of money collected from traffic tickets, which dipped slightly over the last two years but rebounded to $45.9 million last year, and is likely to reach an all-time high this year.

That is largely the result of recent fee increases: As of May 1, the base amount on all speeding tickets is up $30, while the fine for each km/h over the speed limit doubled.

The late payment charge also jumped, to $60 from $50. Ticket revenue in Saskatchewan is split between the general revenue fund, municipalities and a victims’ fund.

The provincial government introduced the changes, which it expects to net around $6.4 million.

It is one of the largest new revenue streams announced two weeks ahead of the government’s costsaving 2018-2019 budget.

According to a report submitted to the Board of Police Commissioners late last year, Saskatoon Police Service issued slightly less than 70,000 traffic tickets in 2016. That represents a 165 per cent increase from 2008.

But most of the growth began in 2014 when the total number of tickets issued jumped to 53,324 from 34,896 and kept climbing, according to the report.

Brian Shalovelo, superintendent of traffic and acting deputy chief, said the increase in numbers is a result of new targeted traffic enforcement.

As part of a national plan, Saskatoon police have spent the last three years increasing enforcement of what Shalovelo called the big four: impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding and seatbelt infractions.

He said when there is a focus on deterrence, there is a corresponding result in collisions, injuries and fatalities.