RCMP fed up with distracted drivers

Police officers from the Warman detachment of the RCMP say they are getting fed up encountering drivers who improperly use mobile phones, two years after a distracted driver law came into effect in Saskatchewan.

Police are especially concerned as they believe talking on a cell-phone played a role in a crash earlier this month on Highway 14, just outside of Saskatoon, where a 40-year-old woman and her eight-year-old daughter died.

"I'm tired of it," Sgt. Warren Gherasim told CBC News. "I'm tired of watching people needlessly lose their lives over minor issues like pulling over to the side of the road if you need to make a phone call"

Reporter takes to course

CBC News reporter Dani Mario will be reporting live on Monday Jan. 30, from a driver training coursewith her mobile phone in hand.

Cst. Dallas Fee added that officers often see drivers focused on texting on phones.

"Now they're looking down at their laps and texting," Fee said, pointing out how dangerous that is.

Even though theRCMP have issued thousands of tickets, people continue to take risks.

"Is it worth your life? Or is it worth the knowledge of taking somebody else's life? Because it's like driving around with a loaded gun," Gherasim said.

The current penalty for improper use of a mobile phone is $280 and four demerit points.

Gherasimadded it is difficult to enforce the cell phone legislation, but officers will not give up.

He said the goal is tochange people's attitudes about driving and using cell phones.