The Estevan Police Service have been busy recently with an increase in those who use a cellphone while driving. 

"It's a constant issue that we deal with" explained Police Chief Paul Ladouceur. "We remind people time and time again, you can't drive a car and send a text message at the same time. It's obviously a disaster waiting to happen, yet we're seeing people still do it."

He added that it only takes a second for your vehicle to drift into oncoming traffic.

"Keep in mind, if you're doing it, if you're texting and driving, someone else may be doing it too and your children are out in this community and we don't want to see anyone hurt. it takes a split second for someone looking down at their phone for someone to cause an accident." 

"We're encouraging people to follow the law and drive responsibly."

And he added that with most hands-free cellphone capabilities, there should be no excuses,

"With Bluetooth technology, most people are able to make the calls as they're driving so there's not as big an issue there. But certainly texting and driving still continues to be a very big issue in this community." 

Since being introduced last year, the penalty  for holding, using, viewing or manipulating a cellphone while driving is $280 (which includes a victims' surcharge of $60) and 4 demerit points. Subsequent offences within a 12 month period will also result in a 7-day vehicle impoundment.

"It's not about the ticket, it's not about the enforcement. We don't want to be out there giving tickets and fines for this. We just want people to use common sense and obviously pay attention when you're driving. If you get a text, pull over, read it when you stop but certainly don't be doing it when you're driving."