45 15St W, Prince Albert SK S6V3P4
Emergency: 
The Prince Albert Police Service recently joined safety partners from police agencies around the province and SGI as part of a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) initiative. Officers set up at several locations around Prince Albert as part of the two-day safety blitz August 30-31 to educate drivers on vehicle and driving regulations, and promote traffic safety.
Twelve drivers received provincial roadside suspensions during the enforcement blitz after testing showed they had marihuana in their system. Speeding was also a concern, with 135 drivers ticketed for speeding, some more than once, during the two-day initiative. Another 27 drivers were caught using their cell phone while behind the wheel, and 30 were ticketed for lack of proper seat belts.
In total, 256 drivers were ticketed for various infractions during the STEP initiative. In addition, 140 drivers were issued written warnings by police.
“The number of drivers who had cannabis in their system while driving is concerning, as are the numbers showing the high number of infractions due to speeding and use of a cell phone,” said Sgt. Brian Glynn with Combined Traffic Safety Services (CTSS)/Traffic Section of the Prince Albert Police Service. “Together with officers from around the province, and SGI, we were able to educate drivers on the dangers of driving when not fully focused or alert, and promote the safety of other drivers and pedestrians.”
Police also inspected 24 commercial vehicles, with 46 violations noted, including six insecure loads. Police handed out 14 free car seats in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute and Acquired Brain Injury Partnership to ensure children are properly seated while in a moving vehicle.
STEP is a multi-agency task force dedicated to improving traffic safety across Saskatchewan. Members include municipal police agencies, the RCMP, Saskatchewan Highway Patrol, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Police, and representatives from SGI and the Ministries of Justice and Finance. STEP safety blitzes are held in various Saskatchewan communities each year to focus on offences related to impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, seatbelt use, unlicensed driving, and commercial vehicle violations.
Funding for selective traffic enforcement initiatives and CTSS patrols across the province is provided by SGI to support traffic safety on highways and roads throughout Saskatchewan.
