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Estevan RCMP still encounters distracted driving

The Estevan RCMP continues to encounter issues with distracted driving in the region that it covers. Cpl.
Estevan RCMP Cpl. Craig Park. File photo
Estevan RCMP Cpl. Craig Park. File photo

The Estevan RCMP continues to encounter issues with distracted driving in the region that it covers. 

Cpl. Craig Park, who is the acting detachment commander, said they receive calls for erratic driving, and it could be for distracted driving or impaired driving. By the time they find the suspect vehicle and pull it over, it can be difficult to determine the cause for the erratic driving, since people will deny they were driving while distracted.  

“When you see a vehicle at one end of the road, and it’s weaving from yellow line to white line, it looks very much like an impaired driver. We find the vehicle and pull it over, lots of times that it could turn out that it’s a … case of distracted driving,” said Park. 

Cell phone usage, including texting and driving, is the most common and well-known form of distracted driving, but Park said the RCMP encounters other types. 

“Sometimes it could be something as simple as adjusting the climate (in the vehicle),” said Park. “You’re trying to figure out how to turn the heat up in your vehicle, or down, or it can be someone adjusting the radio volume.” 

Spilling a coffee in your lap while driving can also cause a distraction.  

The RCMP will encounter people eating in their vehicle while driving, especially now with an increase in drive-thru and take-out orders during the pandemic.

Other people will bring their pets with them in the vehicle.

“Now all of a sudden you add an animal in the vehicle with you, and the pet can be curious about what’s going on, and now you’re distracted from what’s … going on, on the road,” said Park. 

The RCMP has stopped many adults for distracted driving; it’s not just an issue for young people. A busy adult might be guilty of distracted driving because they’re eating while behind the wheel.

It’s also important to educate the public about maintaining their full attention on the road. It means telling people about the dangers of using a cell phone while driving, and other forms of distracted driving.

“There’s all kinds of hands-free things that are available now to keep your focus on the road. Oftentimes if we see somebody with an animal in their vehicle, we’ll try to educate them that there’s harnesses to harness them in the backseats, or safer ways to transport them.” 

Distracted driving carries the obvious risk of causing a collision that could lead to serious injury or even death, he said. But there are also harsh penalties for those who choose to allow their attention to be diverted.

Cell phone use while driving carries heavy penalties and demerit points from Saskatchewan Government Insurance. Driving without due care and attention can result in a fine if there’s a collision.  

“There’s lots of penalties associated with it, and lots of different outcomes that could come from it,” said Park.  

He tries to tell people that they’re driving a bullet down the road, so it’s best to pay attention to what’s happening.