Throughout the month of June, SGI's Traffic Safety Spotlight was focused on distracted driving, and the results are in.

“Throughout the month of June, Saskatchewan police issued 919 distracted driving tickets and 798 of those were for cell phone use,” said Scott McGregor, Communications Consultant with SGI’s Media Relations.

He said it's always risky to drive while using a cell phone, and can also be costly.

“Whenever you get a cell phone ticket it's $280 for a fine, as well as our Safe Driver Recognition points against your license, but if you get caught on your cell phone twice in a year, it's an automatic 7-day impoundment on your vehicle and another $280 ticket, so there's definitely better things you could be spending your money on.”

He said a good rule of thumb to avoid the temptation of using a cell phone behind the wheel is, ‘out of sight, out of mind’.

“If you don't know the phone is ringing, you're probably not going to want to answer it, so if you put it in your bag, put it in the back seat, put it in the glove box, just eliminate that distraction from your drive, and focus on the task at hand,” said McGregor.

He noted police also issued 590 seatbelt tickets, 7,040 for speeding or aggressive driving, and 367 for impaired driving, including 325 Criminal Code charges.

The message of the campaign is clear: distracted driving kills, so don’t miss out on life.

To see the new campaign, visit HERE.

As police continue to focus on work zones throughout July, drivers are reminded to take note of work zones, and be patient, slow down and stay alert.