Police focus on construction zone speeding nabs more than 200

Police officers in Saskatchewan issued more than 200 tickets for speeding in work zones in July.

According to SGI, 195 tickets were issued last month across the province to drivers who exceeded 60 kilometres per hour when passing highway workers or occupied highway equipment within a work zone.

There also were 15 tickets handed out for exceeding 60 km/h when passing a highway worker or flag person, eight for failing to obey the directions of a flag person, four for exceeding 60 km/h when passing highway equipment with its warning lights on, and two for exceeding 60 km/h when passing occupied highway equipment.

SGI reminded drivers that the penalties for speeding through construction zones are enhanced; the Crown corporation noted getting caught driving 100 km/h in a 60 km/h orange zone would result in a fine of $1,008.

Officers in July also handed out 7,333 tickets for other aggressive driving or speeding offences, 798 for distracted driving offences (including 684 for cellphone use while driving) and 609 for seatbelt and child restraint offences.

There also were 474 impaired driving offences recorded in July, including 382 charges under the Criminal Code.

Impaired driving is to be the focus of the August Traffic Safety Spotlight.