Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan unveiled two new motorcycles for their fleet in the province which they described as another tool in the toolbelt to combat distracted driving.

A ticket for distracted driving costs at least $580 and four demerits. A second ticket within a year of being convicted of the first costs $1,400, four demerits, and a seven-day vehicle impoundment. A third ticket costs $2,100, four demerits and another vehicle impoundment.

The motorcycles will be used by the Regina Police Service’s division of CTSS and the total cost to purchase and equip the two motorcycles was $110,000, with funding split equally by SGI and provincial Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund.

Sgt. Ian Barr, head of the Regina Police CTSS says, “Motorcycles allow the officer to get close to the vehicle and, with the higher vantage point, visually confirm a driver is on their phone or not wearing a seatbelt.”

There are other police motorcycles in use in Saskatchewan. The RCMP’s CTSS unit has a six-motorcycle squad, and Saskatoon Police Service has two motorcycles. The RCMP’s motorcycle squad issued nearly 4,000 tickets in 2021. About 28 per cent of those tickets were issued to drivers using their cell phones while driving

The Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan is a province-wide unit consisting of members from the RCMP & municipal police services.