Operation Bus Cop is back! The Regina Police Service is, once again, preparing to use traffic safety officers, riding aboard City of Regina Transit buses, as a way of detecting…and discouraging…distracted drivers, particularly those who choose to use cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. The 2018 edition of Operation Bus Cop begins today. In addition to enforcement of the pertinent laws, Operation Bus Cop will raise awareness of the risks associated with using a cell phone while driving.
Distracted driving is the number one cause of traffic collisions in this province. In 2016, in Saskatchewan, driver distraction was a factor in 42 traffic fatalities (the #2 factor in fatalities), 1205 injuries (#1 cause of traffic collision injuries) and nearly 8300 collisions (#1 cause of traffic collisions). Starting this week and in the coming weeks, the Regina Police Service will be partnering with Regina Transit and SGI to conduct Operation Bus Cop; an initiative where uniformed police officers will periodically ride City of Regina Transit buses to enforce distracted driving laws. The use of Regina Transit buses will allow officers an excellent vantage point to observe motorists. It will be easy for police to see who chooses to contravene distracted driving laws. Officers positioned on Transit buses will gather evidence and work in tandem with police officers in marked cars, who will safely stop and ticket the offending drivers.
The goal is safety for all users of the roadway, achieved by interrupting the offence but also by convincing drivers, who choose to use their cell phones while driving, to change their dangerous behaviour. Operation Bus Cop hopes to reduce the incidents of distracted driving in the City of Regina, with the help of City of Regina Transit and SGI. This program demonstrates the Vision of the Regina Police Service which is: Working Together to Keep Regina Safe.
