The Saskatchewan Highway Patrol has completed Operation Safe Driver Week, focusing on heightened traffic enforcement and road safety.
Throughout the week, SHP members were in contact with 344 drivers, issuing 235 tickets for various infractions. These included speeding, unregistered vehicles, seatbelt violations, failure to stop at stop signs, driving suspensions, overweight commercial vehicles, and cargo securement violations. Additionally, 12 roadside suspensions were handed out for drug and alcohol usage.
“The Saskatchewan Highway Patrol is committed to keeping our roads safe for everyone, and their hard work shines through initiatives like this,” stated Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Paul Merriman. “We want every single person to make it home safely, and Operation Safe Driver Week is a key part of teaching drivers how to look out for themselves and each other on the road.”
As part of the campaign, SHP completed 238 inspections on commercial vehicles. Of these, 43% passed inspections, 40% were removed from the roads, and the remaining 17% required attention before being allowed back on the road after completing their current trip.
Operation Safe Driver Week is an annual event acknowledged by law enforcement agencies across North America and coordinated by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance . Launched in 2007 in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, law enforcement, and industry, the campaign’s goal is to promote and improve safe driving behaviors among both private vehicle operators and commercial vehicle drivers through education, traffic enforcement, and interactions with law enforcement.
“We will continue to enforce legislation, policies, and agreements and educate the public about keeping our roads safe,” said Provincial CVSA Coordinator SHP Sergeant Mathew Austin. “We need everyone to do their part on the roads to ensure we can all arrive at our destinations safely.”
While Operation Safe Driver Week has concluded, drivers are reminded to remain cautious and prioritize safety on the roads, especially during the long weekend.