Distracted driving continues to be a major problem for Saskatchewan law enforcement.
Legislation banning the use of hand-held cell phones while driving was introduced in the province on Jan. 1, 2010. Since then there have been 8,429 collisions, 2,337 injuries and 61 fatalities attributed to distracted driving, according to SGI's media relations manager Rebecca Rogoschewsky. Between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, 2011, there were 6,678 collisions, 1,471 injuries and 26 fatalities due to distracted driving.
The term “distracted driving” covers several issues including cellphone use, reading and eating while operating a vehicle. On Monday, RCMP, SGI and Regina Police Service held a joint media availability outlining the risks involved with texting and talking on cell phones while driving.
"We've seen a disturbing trend over recent years regarding the use of hand-held devices while driving,” said Insp. Andy Landers of  RCMP "F" Division's Traffic Services.
“Despite public perception of distracted driving as a key traffic safety concern, it remains the number one contributing factor in all collisions in Saskatchewan,” said Kwei Quaye, assistant vice president of traffic safety services at SGI. “A quarter of all crashes in the province can be linked to driver distraction, so there is obviously a disconnect between people’s thoughts and their actions and this needs to change.”
An SGI survey conducted in September 2011, revealed 94 per cent of participants thought talking or texting while driving was a problem.
Distracted driving is suspected in a fatal collision near Swift Current in December. Swift Current RCMP responded to a fatal two-vehicle collision at the junction of highways 32 and 332 on Dec. 19, 2011.
RCMP traffic collision reconstructionists concluded there were indications the victim of the accident, an 18-year-old Swift Current woman, may have been texting while driving.
The woman, the sole occupant of a four door sedan, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hands-free cellphone use while driving is still permitted in the province, but is limited to experienced drivers. Those found breaking the law can be fined $280 and issued four demerit points from their license.