Kari's Corner November 23, 2011

Operations Hands Free in Saskatchewan

This story hits home with me as I have been one of the offenders who got my $280 ticket and 4 points off my otherwise perfect driving record. As a real estate agent in Saskatoon I spend a lot of time on my smart phone. Whether I am emailing Saskatoon real estate clients, responding to texts from other Saskatoon REALTORS® who want to show properties of mine etc or I am calling clients or other agents I spend a good portion of my day and night with technology. Combined with technology I do have to drive to show houses for sale in Saskatoon or to meet with clients so the need to be connected all of the time plus the necessity of driving means I do multitask a lot.

The frustrating thing about when I got my ticket is that I wasn’t actually using my phone! In my vehicle I have a built in bluetooth. I had a loaner vehicle and when I went to make a call I realized I didn’t automatically have hands free so I aborted the call. I still got a ticket even after I gave the officer my phone to review. But I am guilty of using my phone other times so I had to suck it up and pay my fine.

So beginning today SGI and the Police are kicking off “Operation Hands Free”. It is a 2 day blitz. CKOM has reported it starts Thursday in the title of their article however then say it starts Friday. Regardless of when it starts I think most of us will be a bit more careful. According to the police they can give you a ticket for simply checking the time on your phone! And they have! This blitz is coordinated across the province and the aim is to have a coordinated traffic safety blitz across the province each month to raise awareness.

Kari Calder
Saskatoon Real Estate Agent
Century 21 Fusion
kari@saskatoonrealestate.net