SGI reports 8,500 collisions and 60 deaths in 2010 related to distracted driving

Saskatchewan saw almost 8,500 motor vehicle collisions due to distracted driving in 2010, resulting in more than 2,300 injuries and 60 deaths, according to Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI).
SGI says its traffic safety research shows the vast majority (92%) of the Saskatchewan public views talking or texting while driving as a major problem and believes collisions related to distracted driving are happening more frequently.
SGI posted these statistics while announcing a two-day blitz called Operation HandsFree, which will take place on Nov. 17 and 18. Saskatchewan police will be on the lookout even more than usual for drivers talking or texting while driving during this period.
This represents a new province-wide, co-ordinated approach to traffic safety created after a meeting of all traffic enforcement units in the province. In the past, traffic blitzes were left up to individual traffic units throughout the province.
The new, coordinated approach has been endorsed by the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police (SACP) and SGI.
“By having all communities participate at the same time, these targeted blitzes will help SGI and law enforcement raise the profile of this and other traffic safety issues,” said Andrew Cartmell, president and CEO of SGI.