Distracted driving has been an issue around the province for many years. During the period of January to June this year, a total of 1,837 tickets for distracted driving were issued in Saskatchewan. In 2015, 14% of all fatal crashes were related to distracted driving.
 
During the long weekend, highways become much busier than usual, making the risk for accidents much greater.  The misconception with distracted driving is that it only means using a cell phone. Distracted driving is a term that can be used when a driver is facing any distraction such as eating, listening to music, changing the radio, or even reaching for something in the back seat.
 
It is important to always be fully prepared when going on a road trip. There are many things one can do to prepare for a trip such as eating before, so you don’t have to eat on the road or having a partner to help drive if you get tired. It is also a good idea to plan a place and a time to meet someone prior to getting into your car, so you don’t have to worry about communication on your way to your destination.
 
Marie Schultz, communications consultant for SGI gave a few tips to August long weekend drivers. “We want drivers to put their phones away, if they need to communicate they can have a passenger to help, or pull over. We want you to get to your destination safe and alive so please don’t take that risk. We also want to remind drivers to not drink and drive. If you are planning on drinking please plan a safe ride home and if you see a friend that has been drinking, be a good wing man and don’t let them drive. Follow the speed limits on highways and in work zones and always wear a seat belt.”
 
If you are driving anywhere for the long weekend, make sure you slow down, drive safe and obey the rules of the road so that you and everyone else can get to their destination safely.