Curbing dangerous driving behaviours such as distracted driving, failing to wear a seatbelt and impaired driving continues to be a focus for police in Warman and across the province.
In January 2023, 130 traffic tickets were issued in the Warman detachment area by Warman and Martensville RCMP and Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) from Maidstone, North Battleford, Rosetown, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. These include:
* 69 speeding tickets
* 13 distracted driving tickets
* 1 seatbelt ticket
* 10 unregistered motor vehicles, 1 unregistered trailer
* 22 vehicle equipment violations (of which, 10 were for cracked or damaged windshields)
Officers also issued 211 warnings for traffic-related offences in Warman RCMP jurisdiction in January, including 64 for speeding and four for distracted driving.
In addition, officers charged four individuals for driving impaired and issued one roadside driving suspension in the Warman area. Officers shared a few examples of what they encountered on the roads:
* On January 5, 2023, at approximately 5:30 p.m., a 911 report advised police of a two-vehicle rear-end collision within the city of Warman. Witnesses observed the suspected driver using their cellphone at the time of impact, departing the vehicle and fleeing on foot after the collision.
Warman RCMP officers searched the area and, shortly after arriving, located the suspected driver near the scene. The individual exhibited signs of impairment and, as a result of further investigation, officers discovered an open cup of alcohol inside the vehicle. The driver was charged with impaired driving and also ticketed for having open alcohol in a vehicle and using a phone while driving.
* On January 14, 2023, at approximately 2:40 p.m., a 911 report advised police of a suspected impaired driver parked on the shoulder of Highway 12 near Martensville. Warman RCMP officers located the vehicle and, during the traffic stop, officers noted signs of impairment exhibited from the driver. As a result of further investigation, the driver was charged with impaired driving.
“Warman RCMP, along with Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan, are out working every day to keep our roads safe,” says S/Sgt, Jason Teniuk of the Warman RCMP. “We thank members of the public that drive safety and considerately. We also thank those who have contacted police to report impaired drivers.”
If you see an impaired driver, report it to 911. If you are driving, remember to pull over somewhere safe before making that call.