Driving is a task that demands the driver’s complete attention.
The unexpected can happen in moments, meaning that even a second of extra reaction time can make the difference between an avoided collision and a potential tragedy. focus on the road is not a part-time responsibility.
“Technology has made the task of driving easier in many ways,” said Gareth Jones, President and CEO of the Canada Safety Council. “Advances like rear-view cameras and collision avoidance systems serve as support mechanisms to keep us protected. But when technology pulls our attention away from the road, we are taking on risk and need to carefully consider how and when technology is used.”
Transport Canada estimates that distraction – often attributed to cell phone and device use – contributes to 21 per cent of fatal collisions and 27 per cent of serious injury collisions.
Further, the council estimates that drivers using a phone behind the wheel are up to four times as likely to be involved in a crash as someone who does not use their phone.
As Chief of Corman Park Police Service, I want to remind the public that you can’t watch the road and check your phone at the same time. Even a quick glance can lead to a costly collision. The stakes are high – property damage, fines, injury and even death can occur. We need to raise the alarm: it’s not safe to multi-task when driving.
Incidents of Note
On February 14 at 11:25 p.m., while on patrol on Clarence Avenue near Middleton Road, Corman Park Police Service (CPPS) received an automated license plate reader hit for a suspended driver. A CPPS officer attempted to stop the vehicle, which fled from police. The vehicle was located a short time later and both the driver and passenger were found to be wanted on outstanding warrants. The driver displayed signs of drug impairment, submitted to a standard field sobriety test and was subsequently given a 120-day driver’s license suspension. The vehicle was impounded for 44 days, and the driver was charged with Fail to Stop for Police and also received a court notice for driving on a suspended license. Both the driver and passenger were held until sober and released on their warrants for a future court date in North Battleford Provincial Court.
On February 16 at 8:04 p.m., while participating in a multi-agency check stop on Dalmeny Road near Township Road (TWP) 374, CPPS stopped a Chev 1500 and arrested the driver on an outstanding warrant. CPPS noted that the driver was displaying signs of drug impairment and he admitted to recent use of cocaine. The driver provided a sample of oral fluid which resulted in a positive reading. The driver was subsequently issued a 72-hour drivers license suspension and had their vehicle impounded for 72 hours.
On February 17 at 3:50 p.m., CPPS received a complaint of a male walking through a yard taking pictures. CPPS attended and located the male, who was a tourist from out of country and was not aware of the trespass laws. The male was educated on the trespass law and allowed to leave.
On February 19 at 10:38 a.m., RCMP Dispatch aired a call of a vehicle traveling the wrong way on Highway 16 and Dalmeny Road that caused a semi to sideswipe a van. CPPS attended with RCMP. There were no injuries and CPPS assisted with the removal of the vehicles from the scene.
On February 18 at 8:17 p.m., CPPS received a complaint of a vehicle on fire at TWP 380 and Range Road (RR) 3093. CPPS attended with Asquith Fire and found no one around the vehicle. The burnt vehicle was towed from the scene and the investigation is ongoing.
On February 21 at 6:58 a.m., DOCC dispatched multiple calls of a male walking on Hwy 11 near TWP 400, nearly being struck by motorists. CPPS attended and located a male who was intoxicated. He was arrested for being intoxicated in public and transported to Saskatoon RCMP cells where the male was held and released when he was sober.
On February 23 at 1:00 a.m., CPPS conducted a traffic stop on Highway 12 near TWP 380 after observing a vehicle with a burnt-out headlight. The driver displayed signs of alcohol impairment and refused to provide a roadside approved screening device sample. The driver was arrested for refusing to provide a breath sample. Alcohol was found in the vehicle. He was held in cells and released once sober with a future court date at Saskatoon Provincial Court for refusing to provide a breath sample.
On February 24 at 10:10 p.m., police received a report of run-away youth from a youth facility. CPPS and RCMP attended, and all youth were located and returned to the facility.
On February 23 at 10:42 p.m., DOCC dispatched a complaint of a suspicious person at the intersection of Wanuskewin Road and Highway 11. RCMP and CPPS attended and located two intoxicated females who indicated they had been kicked out of a vehicle. Due to the erratic behavior of one of the females, police arrested her for being intoxicated in public and transported the female to Saskatoon RCMP cells where she was held until sober. The other female was turned over to a family member.