Our family at Al Hattie Insurance and SGI are committed to safety on the roads this holidays season. SGI is involved in two initiatives that are focused on reducing accidents and injury on Saskatchewan roadways. Both Operation Red Nose and the new Photo Speed Enforcement locations are designed for this and automobile drivers in Saskatchewan should help spread the word about both.
Operation Red Nose:
From Nov. 28 to Dec. 31, 2014, anyone who has been drinking and feels they are not able to drive home can call Operation Red Nose for a ride. Check operationrednose.com for the schedule in your area. A team of 3 volunteers - coordinated through the local Lions Clubs in the Battlefords, Prince Albert and Saskatoon, and the Queen City Kinsmen in Regina - will pick you up and drive you, in your own vehicle, to the destination of your choice. One volunteer drives your vehicle, a 2nd volunteer navigates and a 3rd volunteer follows in an escort vehicle to pick up the 2 volunteers once they drop you off.
While the service is free, donations are accepted and are then distributed to local youth and amateur sports initiatives in the participating city.
Impaired driving is among the leading cause of fatal collisions in Saskatchewan. If your city does not yet participate in Operation Red Nose, there are still many other options for getting home safely: take a cab, use public transit, stay the night, choose a designated driver, call a sober friend or family member, or contact another designated driving service. We also encourage other cities in Saskatchewan to take part in this initiative next year.
For Operation Red Nose service call:
The Battlefords - 306-446-2827 or 306-480-9876
Prince Albert - 306-763-6673
Saskatoon - 306-371-6693
Regina - 306-949-2400
Installation Work Underway At Photo Speed Enforcement Locations
Last week cameras and signs were being installed at photo speed enforcement locations around the province.
Cameras will be set up:
- Highway 12 at Martensville
- Saskatoon: Circle Drive and selected school zones
- Highway 1 east between the Pilot Butte turnoff and White City
- Regina: Ring Road and selected school zones
- Moose Jaw: school zones
"We will notify the public once the cameras are operational at these locations," said Andrew Cartmell, President and CEO of SGI. " We want people to know when the cameras are live. Our goal with this pilot is zero tickets and zero crashes."
There will be a two-month warning period where drivers caught speeding will be mailed a warning instead of a ticket. Yellow informational signs will let drivers know they are approaching a photo-speed-enforced zone. Black-and-white regulatory signs will also be posted within the zone.
For more information about the two-year photo speed enforcement pilot, visit SGI's website at www.sgi.sk.ca.