‘Very easy:’ Sask. police on lookout for distracted drivers

It’s almost too easy to spot drivers using, holding or touching their cellphones behind the wheel.

Within 20 minutes, Saskatoon traffic officers ticketed five people for distracted driving near the busy area of 38th Street and Idylwyld Drive Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s still remarkably common,” Staff Sgt. Patrick Barbar said. “When you’re in a stationary position as we are today, and you’re looking for nothing but that, it’s very easy to find.”

In Saskatchewan, it’s illegal to use, view, hold or in any way manipulate a phone while driving.

This month, SGI and police across the police are focusing their efforts on distracted driving, and Barbar cautions those who think they can outsmart enforcement.

“We’re seeing people trying to hide their behaviours,” Barbar said. “We’re seeing repeat offenders.”

At the corner of 38th Street and Idylwyld Drive with @SaskatoonPolice #traffic unit as they catch distracted drivers. Pulled over one car within 10 minutes; driver says they were “looking at GPS.” #yxe #ckom pic.twitter.com/WiWzdhCt09

— Daniella Ponticelli (@Ms_dponticelli) March 7, 2018

In Saskatoon, police often station themselves at a higher vantage point to spot drivers on their phones. Once caught, officers radio ahead to a team a few blocks away.

Barbar said it’s common to hear drivers denying they’ve used their phone at all.

“We hear people telling us they’re using it for music, for GPS – all sorts of excuses like that.”

While cellphone use is the most prevalent – it’s also what police are often looking for – distracted driving includes eating, grooming, reading or tending to children and pets.

Barbar said he’s seen more than one driver taking time on the road to read the newspaper.

“People will have the full A section unfolded in front of them as they’re driving.”

Distracted drivers come in all sizes (of vehicle). Cellphone use is by far the most common offence, but Staff Sgt. Patrick Barbar says he once caught a driver reading the newspaper behind the wheel #yxe @SaskatoonPolice @SGItweets pic.twitter.com/D821ZXYdOJ

— Daniella Ponticelli (@Ms_dponticelli) March 7, 2018

For anyone concerned about what this means for eating on the go, Barbar clarified there are degrees to the severity of snacking behind the wheel.

“There needs to be some change in the driving patterns,” he said.

“If you’re eating a couple fries, but you’re still looking at the road, still going in a straight line – there’s no issue with that.”

According to SGI, between 400 and 600 drivers are fined every month in the province for driving while using their cellphones or being distracted in other ways.

Not only is it worth a $280 fine, distracted driving also costs people four Safe Driver Recognition points, which can add to the cost of insurance. Those who get too many demerit points, and wind up in the penalty zone under the SDR program, have to pay an extra $50 per demerit.

Drivers caught a second time within one year also lose their vehicles for a week and have to foot the bill for towing and storage.

Experienced drivers are only allowed to use cellphones with a voice activation or one-touch feature if they are mounted to visors or dashboards, but this does not apply to novice or learner drivers who are banned from both.

In 2016, distracted driving was found to be a factor in 42 fatal crashes. That year, 1,200 people were also injured because drivers were distracted.