Last month, SGI and law enforcement asked the drivers of Saskatchewan to keep their heads out of their apps and their eyes on the road.

592 drivers were too distracted by the latest notification on their device because law enforcement issued that many tickets for holding or using cell phones while driving and an additional 93 tickets were issued for driving without due care and attention.

Jennifer Sully, Communications Consultant for SGI details what they were asking drivers to do.

"What we're encouraging people to do is just avoid the temptation. Once you are in your vehicle make sure your phone is out of your hands and out of your sight just so that you are not tempted by it and just get ready before you start driving. So pick your playlist, set your GPS if you need to, just make sure you are ready to focus only on the act of driving.'

In addition, Sully details the consequences if you are caught. 

"If you are caught driving distracted you are looking at a $580 ticket plus four demerit points against your license and with any subsequent tickets within that year those fines will go up. So if you get a second ticket within that year you're looking at a $1400 fine plus four demerit points and your vehicle will be impounded for a week."

Sully goes on to add that a third ticket within the year will result in a $2100 fine plus an additional four demerits and your vehicle being impounded for a week. 

Additionally, last month police issued 358 impaired driving offenses, more than 6800 speeding tickets, and 576 tickets for improper seatbelts or child restraint use which RCMP pointed out is the highest number of these tickets issued in the spring season since 2017. 

SGI and law enforcement continue to encourage drivers to #SlowDown with the April focus on speeding, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and ATVs.