CARLYLE - Texting and handheld cellphone used while driving became illegal in Saskatchewan on Jan. 1, 2010. This is not very long ago relatively speaking.
However, when Saskatchewan implemented this law, It’s safe to say they were trying to make our roads safer. SGI reports that distracted driving is the No. 1 contributing factor in total Saskatchewan collisions. It’s also safe to say that when this law was implemented, they were trying to stop drivers from texting and making phone calls while driving.
Some drivers have been taking distracted driving to another level by watching Netflix and movies while they drive. I never thought police officers would need to explain, stop, or charge someone for watching Netflix and movies while driving but that’s exactly what has been happening more and more.
The penalties for using/holding electronic communications equipment while driving are as follows: first offence is a $580 fine and four demerit points; the second in 12 months is a $1,400 fine, four demerit points and a seven-day vehicle seizure; and the third in a 12-month span is a $2,100 fine, four demerit points and a seven-day vehicle seizure.
That being said, if you’re caught watching a movie while driving, you could easily expect to be charged with dangerous driving under the Criminal Code as you are driving in a way that endangers other people. If convicted of dangerous driving, you could face up to two years in prison.
If you see someone watching a TV show or movie while driving, please report this to the RCMP right away.
Drug Oral Fluid Screening Device
The Carlyle RCMP purchased a new piece of equipment recently. It is referred to as an oral fluid device. The device detects the presence of THC from cannabis marijuana in saliva. This device will allow RCMP officers to test and charge drivers that are impaired by drugs.
Prior to this device being available officers had to arrest and take drivers to a hospital and obtain a blood sample to prove the presence of drugs in someone’s blood.
Your Carlyle RCMP were busy conducting traffic enforcement this week, handing out multiple tickets for speeding, inadequate lights, and failing to have a driver’s licence, to name a few.
On Jan. 25, the RCMP received a report of an alarm at the Broken Arrow Junction Confectionery. Officers responded and spoke with three staff members who advised that the alarm was accidentally set off and there was no emergency.
Also that day, RCMP received a report of harassment taking place over social media and text messages. Although these messages were not violent in nature, they were not appropriate and slandering. The complainant in this instance did not want police to intervene at this time but wanted them to be aware in the event the situation got worse.
I want to remind everyone to be mindful and respectful of what they are writing on social media and through text messages. Lots of people seem to get a lot braver and more disrespectful when they are behind their keyboard. Remember you can and will be held accountable for your actions online. It’s like mom always said, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all”.
On Jan. 26, the Carlyle RCMP located a male citizen of Albania who was wanted on a Canada-wide immigration warrant. Canada Border Services had received intel that the male was “hiding out” in a community about two hours from Regina. The big tip came when the Albanian made a phone call from a local phone number. Once that took place, RCMP were able to attend the residence that call came from and arrest the male without incident. He is set to be deported out of Canada.
The same day, Carlyle RCMP decided to try their hand in the tow truck industry when an ambulance was stuck while en route to a medical call in the area. RCMP managed to pull the stuck ambulance out of the snow and ensured that the ambulance was able to make it the rest of the way to their call. It’s not often RCMP get to assist other emergency services but it’s nice when we can.
The following day, a female senior citizen pedestrian was hit on Main Street in Carlyle while crossing the street. The female pedestrian was knocked to the ground and the unknown white truck responsible left the scene. The elderly female was helped to her feet and off the street by two people in the area. Carlyle RCMP is requesting anyone with information about this incident to contact the Carlyle RCMP by calling 306-453-6707.
Officers are also requested the two good Samaritans who helped the female to her feet to please come forward. Information can be submitted anonymously through CrimeStoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submitting a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com
On Jan. 28, the RCMP responded a complaint of a sister and brother arguing and fighting and the fight starting to escalate. RCMP attended and were able to diffuse the situation before anyone was injured. While at the residence, RCMP were given two large knives and a set of brass knuckles and were asked to destroy them.
On Jan. 30, RCMP received a call about snowmobilers drinking on the Moose Mountain Provincial Park trails. The caller observed a group of nearly 40 snowmobilers all drinking at one of the shelters on the trail. RCMP patrolled the area but were not able to locate anyone drinking.
As many people and snowmobilers are aware, we don’t get out on the trails enough. That being said, everyone can help us hold people accountable. If the RCMP receives a video, photos, or a statement that people were breaking the law by drinking in public, they can be served a $250 ticket after the fact.
Also that day, RCMP received a call of two large dogs at large in Arcola. The dogs were attacking the caller’s truck, trying to get to the caller’s dog that was safely inside. The owner of the dogs eventually took control of the animals. The owner was notified that she could be held responsible for her dog’s actions.
Scam of the week
This week I’m going to explain tech support scams.
For this scam, you receive a phone call, email, or pop-up warning indicating your computer is infected (ask yourself: how would they know?) The scammer then prompts you to download an application that allows them to control your computer remotely; downloads an actual virus or otherwise makes you believe that something is wrong; and tells you they can fix the problem for a fee.
Another way to reach you is through search results. Tech support scammers work hard to get their websites to show up in online search results, or they run their own ads.
Often, these scammers ask you to pay using a bank wire, gift card or money transfer app.
If you gave a scammer remote access to your computer, immediately update your security software, run a thorough scan, and delete anything it identifies as a problem. And, if you shared your user name and password, change those right away, too
It’s okay not to be okay!
Mental health calls this week varied from people with dementia, people suffering from drug and alcohol psychosis, to people suffering from depression. We want to encourage everyone to reach out for help and talk to someone if they can. No matter how bad things may seem remember that they will always get better.
Life can be very difficult to say the least. Please reach out and check in with friends, co-workers and family see how they are doing. It’s a perfectly normal question to ask people how they are doing. Don’t let people suffer in silence. If you see someone that you believe needs some help but won’t accept help from you, please let the police or their family know.
In Saskatchewan you can call/text the mental health crisis line at 2-1-1, or Counselling Connect Saskatchewan Canadian Mental Health Association 1-306-384-9333.
