During their March Traffic Spotlight, SGI was concerned to see the number of speeding and seatbelt tickets issued spike dramatically from February.
The number of speeding or aggressive driving tickets doubled, tallying 8,734 for the month of March, and over 650 seatbelt related offences made it onto the books.
With April’s spotlight focusing on speeding and aggressive driving, SGI feels that these numbers — which are the highest recorded since the spotlights began in 2014 — are due to be addressed.
SGI encourages drivers to consider the consequences or reckless driving and to buckle up, in order to get to their destination safely. Over 600 injuries and 21 deaths occur each year due to speed-related collisions, according to SGI data. These numbers, SGI says, are too high.
Also noted in March’s spotlight were 748 distracted driving offenses and 319 impaired driving offenses — both increased from last month’s report.
Both SGI and the provincial government are continuously cracking down on impaired driving, with a zero-tolerance policy and increased consequences for those caught driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Distracted driving is also a focus, with tougher penalties and larger tickets hoping to dissuade drivers.
SGI wants drivers to stay safe on the road: slow down, buckle up, and be a "good wingman" — don't let your friends drive intoxicated, and certainly don't do it yourself.
