Police issue 32 distracted driving tickets following Circle Drive crash

Saskatoon Police are handing out some swift punishment after hundreds of drivers passing by a serious crash on Circle Drive Thursday were seen taking photos and video by officers at the scene.

We're hearing from officers at the scene of the collision involving 3 semis that motorists are driving by & using their cell phones to take pictures/video.

Please note that this is illegal and officers may be following up with tickets. #SPSTraffic #yxetraffic

— Saskatoon Police (@SaskatoonPolice) October 21, 2020

Alyson Edwards, the director of public affairs at Saskatoon Police Service, said some officers at the scene of the crash that killed a 51-year-old had to shift their duties to jotting down license plates and descriptions of people wielding their phone while passing the crash.

“We want to send a message to these people that it isn’t acceptable even if there is a collision and there is something to see that you take out your phone and you take video or photographs,” she said.

“I would hope that it isn’t something that we have to make plans with every major collision.”

Edwards said 32 drivers will be receiving distracted driving tickets.

A distracted driving infraction carries a $580 fine, and officers could have doubled up on that.

“We could be issuing two (tickets). It could also be a ticket for driving without due care and attention,” she said, adding that officers couldn’t keep an eye on everyone.

“Unfortunately, there are many many more people who were taking photos or video and will not receive a ticket.”

Distracted driving laws were introduced in Saskatchewan on New Years Day in 2010. According to SGI, distracted driving is the leading contributing factor to collisions in the province, including crashes where people are hurt or killed.

“They’re traffic officers,” Edwards said of Wednesday’s crash.  “They respond to collisions regularly where people are causing collisions by utilizing electronic devices while driving.”

“Clearly, there is still a need for a behavioural shift away from grabbing your phone when it crosses your mind even if you’re driving.”

Officers with Victim Services are also put under pressure because of onlookers. With photos or videos of the crash circulating online almost immediately, officers race to notify next of kin if videos or photographs have particularly noticeable aspects.

“It can present a problem because it is the times that we live in,” Edwards said.

No cause for the crash has been released. Edwards said that could take “quite some time” as officers continue to investigate the crash.