Saskatchewan police clarify cellphone distracted‑driving rules in Saskatoon and Regina

Police officers from the Saskatoon and Regina traffic units explained the province’s rules on cellphone use while driving. Between 2020 and 2024, distracted driving contributed to about 11 % of serious collisions in Saskatoon and 11.8 % in Regina, making it one of the top factors in crashes.

Constable Kevin Bowes of the Regina Police Service said drivers who glance at a vibrating or ringing phone are committing an illegal distraction, even at a red light. Officers will only ticket when they see the driver’s head turn or other driving actions indicating engagement with the screen. Merely having a phone on the seat or a lit screen is not enough for a fine. The police also noted that using a phone for GPS can be distracting compared with dedicated devices. Ray Robertson of the Saskatoon Police Service advised drivers without Apple CarPlay or Bluetooth to rely on other navigation methods.