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Stronger laws for impaired driving, cell phone use to curb dangerous behaviour

Nov 3, 2016 | 12:00 PM

New laws coming to Saskatchewan drivers in January will impose harsher penalties for impaired driving and strengthen the prohibition of cellphone use.

Rob Gillan, unit commander for the Community Safety Officers, said he believes the updated laws will be effective in helping keep North Battleford safe.

“I think any effort we make to curb this behaviour is positive progress,” he said. “I’m hoping that people get it and they just stop this behaviour and do it voluntarily.”

The updated laws include an increase in the cut-off age for zero blood alcohol content from 19 to 21, more vehicle seizures for impaired driving, and longer periods of the mandatory ignition interlock program.

Distracted driving laws will also be strengthened and clarified. The current law prohibits cellphone use while driving, but the new law prohibits holding, using, viewing or manipulating a cellphone while driving.

Gillan said the strengthened cellphone law is an important one in North Battleford.

“We have, as a unit, seen an increase in the amount of people operating or manipulating cell phones while driving and I believe the strengthening of this legislation is necessary to tackle this big problem,” he said. “Distracted driving causes collisions, no question about it.”

The updated laws are expected to come into effect Jan. 1, 2017.

 

Sarah Rae is battlefordsNOW’s court and crime reporter. She can be reached at Sarah.Rae@jpbg.ca or tweet her @sarahjeanrae.