A totalled car on display in front of John Paul II high school in North Battleford is meant to discourage distracted driving. (Ian Roach/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

DISTRACTED DRIVING

North Battleford community safety officers crack down, educate about distracted driving

Oct 3, 2022 | 2:33 PM

Put down the phone, pay attention to the road, get to your destination safely. That’s the message from the City of North Battleford it launches a month-long crackdown on distracted driving.

The blitz organized by North Battleford community safety officers (CSO) will have an educational element. CSOs will target distracted drivers and work to educate the public about the dangers associated with distracted driving. Using a smashed-up car donated by Saskatchewan Government Insurance and with the help of Lash-Berg towing, the totalled car will be used to show the dangers of distracted driving at various locations throughout the city.

In a media release, CSO Unit Commander Jerry Koliniak said while enforcement will take place in October, education and prevention are the focus.

“We would rather educate people about the very real dangers of distracted driving and prevent people from driving while distracted before a serious incident occurs. Effective prevention can potentially save lives,” he said.

Kolinak said distracted driving is not just about using a smartphone while driving. It includes eating, using GPS, reading, and personal grooming. Koliniak added distracted driving can have deadly results.

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“The reality is that so many accidents, including fatalities, happen while vehicle operators, not just young people, are on their phones and not paying attention to their driving,” he said.

Fines for distracted driving start at $580 with four demerit points for a first offence.

The distracted driving display will be at various locations around North Battleford until October 21. This week, it is scheduled to be at three different high schools before moving to the Frontier Centre parking lot on Oct. 6, and Access Communications Centre on Oct. 7.

For the week of Oct. 24 to Oct. 28, the display will move to the town of Battleford.