It’s sad to say farewell to summer. However, the final long weekend of the summer is fast approaching. For many Saskatchewan families this means road trip time. Here are some valuable driving tips from CAA to help all motorists and their families stay safe.

Before you drive:

• Allow plenty of travel time.
• Set the GPS and/or review all maps and directions in advance.
• Stow and secure loose objects and prepare children with everything they need in advance of the trip.
• Ensure your vehicle is in good operating condition with properly inflated tires, including the spare.
• Check your vehicle’s brakes and fluid levels including motor oil and windshield washer fluids.
• Ensure seat belts are in working condition and worn by all vehicle occupants. Children should be safely secured in properly installed car seats and booster seats.

Texting and driving:

• While you drive, do not text, use apps, or read emails. Keep your phone out of reach, and let calls go to voicemail or ask one of the passengers to handle mobile devices.
• Over a quarter of young Canadians aged 18-24 years old said they saw an increase in people using their phone while driving in 2020. (CAA polling, 2020)
• 47% of Canadians admitted that they have typed out or used the voice-memo feature to send a message while driving. (CAA, 2020)
• If a driver texts, they’re 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash or near collision. (Traffic Injury Research Foundation, 2019)
• Canadians say that texting while driving is one of the biggest threats to their personal safety on the road. (CAA, 2018)

Distracted driving:

• This is defined as any distraction that takes the driver’s eyes and mind away from the road. Some common distractions to eliminate include use of a mobile phone, reaching for moving objects, eating/drinking or applying makeup, listening to loud music, and long conversations with passengers.

Additional safe driving tips:

• Pack a roadside assistance kit or purchase at any CAA Store. Add non-perishable food and drinking water.
• Carry a mobile phone or similar type of communication device with a charger for use in case of emergencies.
• Drive according to the current road and weather conditions.
• Slow down move over. Reduce your speed to 60 km/h on Saskatchewan highways when passing emergency responders including tow truck operators, law enforcement and ambulance personnel, or highway workers. Be an alert driver. Slow down when you see flashing lights. It’s a matter of life and death.

For further information, contact:

Christine Niemczyk,
Director, Corporate Communications & Public Relations
(306) 791.4327
christine.niemczyk@caask.ca