SGI reports that over 100 drivers in Saskatchewan failed to slow down in work zones in July.
Law enforcement in Saskatchewan focused on dangerous driving in work zones during July’s Traffic Safety Spotlight. When passing a highway worker, flag person, or highway equipment with warning lights flashing, drivers must slow to 60 km/h or the posted speed limit — yet 138 drivers failed to do so.
The following offences were reported:
- 104 tickets were issued for exceeding 60 km/h when passing highway workers or occupied highway equipment within a work zone;
- 32 tickets were issued for exceeding 60 km/h when passing a highway worker or flag person;
- One ticket for exceeding 60 km/h when passing occupied highway equipment;
- One ticket for exceeding 60 km/h when passing highway equipment with warning lights in operation;
- Police also reported one ticket to a driver for failing to obey the direction of a flag person or peace officer.
Not only should drivers slow down for safety reasons, but fines increase for speeding in work zones or past highway workers. For example, being clocked at 40 km/h over the limit costs $1,008 and four demerits.
Law enforcement also reported the following results in July:
- 7,597 aggressive driving or speeding offences
- 1,039 distracted driving offences (including 920 for cellphone use while driving)
- 576 inappropriate or no seatbelt/child restraint offences
- 292 impaired driving offences (including 246 Criminal Code charges)
The focus of August's Traffic Safety Spotlight is on impaired driving.
