The Weyburn Police Service has contacted the school and indicated they are concerned about the number of WCS students that are texting and driving in our community.
The fines for distracted driving are significant and if you are driving while distracted you may seriously hurt yourself and others!
Please help keep everyone safe by following the rules of the road and SGI rules!
Distracted driving penalties
There are 2 laws in Saskatchewan that address distracted driving:
- cellphone legislation
- driving without due care legislation
Cellphone legislation
Cellphones are among the biggest distractions drivers face. It’s illegal to use, hold, view or manipulate a hand-held cellphone while driving.
- If you’re an experienced driver, meaning you’re not in the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program or Motorcycle GDL program, you can use a hands-free device if it can be activated with voice commands or one-touch, and is mounted on the dashboard or visor in a cradle.
- New drivers can’t use hands-free devices at all.
The penalty for holding, using, viewing or manipulating a cellphone while driving varies depending if it's your first, second or third offence:
- 1st offence - $580 ticket and 4 demerit points under the Safe Driver Recognition and Driver Improvement programs
- 2nd offence within a year of being convicted of the first - $1,400 ticket, plus an additional 4 demerit points, plus an immediate, 7-day vehicle seizure
- 3rd offence within a year of conviction of the first - $2,100 ticket, plus 4 more demerits and another 7-day vehicle seizure
Exemptions
Police, fire and emergency medical services personnel can use hand-held cellphones to perform their duties.
Driving without due care legislation
Driver distractions like eating, using GPS, reading and personal grooming are covered under driving without due care and attention legislation.
Other potential distractions may include things like adjusting the radio, smoking or interacting with pets or passengers. These activities are not against the law and won’t automatically result in a ticket. But, if your behaviour takes your attention away from driving, and poses a risk to road safety, police may give you a ticket for driving without due care and attention.
The ticket for driving without due care and attention also varies:
- 1st offence - $580 ticket and 4 demerit points under the Safe Driver Recognition and Driver Improvement programs
- 2nd offence within a year of being convicted of the first - $1,400 ticket, plus an additional 4 demerit points
- 3rd offence within a year of conviction of the first - $2,100 ticket, plus 4 more demerits, plus an immediate, 7-day vehicle seizure
Distracted driving tips
For tips on preventing distracted driving, visit the Driver distraction and fatigue page.