SGI and local law enforcement were on the look out for new drivers and motorcyclists last month. 

"The Traffic Safety Spotlight for June focused on new drivers and motorcycle riders," explained Tyler McMurchy with SGI. "So those folks who are in the graduated licensing program and the motorcycle graduated licencing program."

"Our message for them during the month was that law enforcement was going to be watching out for them and making sure that they are following the restrictions that are associated with where they are at in those respective programs."

As a result of the June traffic spotlight, law enforcement handed out the following 88 tickets:

  • 66 were learner drivers who were caught for driving without a supervising driver.
  • 20 tickets were issued for not following the restrictions or riding without the appropriate endorsement
  • 2 tickets were issued for not displaying the inappropriate placard on their motorcycle.

"Along with that comes a $150 fine and three demerit points."

"Last year there were 74 tickets total issued when we did the focus on new drivers so seeing more, that number is heading in the wrong direction."

"We do know that it's summer, people want to be out there driving and we want them out there practicing but we also want them to be very well aware of what the restrictions are when it comes to things like whether they have a supervising driver, number of passengers, time of day and those restrictions change and lessen as you move through the graduated licensing program. But you still have to obey them when you're at that stage."

He added that this was a good reminder for all drivers in the graduated licensing program.

"They need to study up, know what their restrictions are and when they're out there practicing, which we want them to do, make sure they are obeying the restrictions that are associated with where they are in their graduated licensing program."

In addition to focusing on new drivers, law enforcement also issued the the following in June:

  • 4762 tickets for aggressive driving or speeding
  • 441 tickets for inappropriate or no seatbelt/child restraint
  • 436 tickets for distracted driving (307 for cellphone use while driving)
  • 376 impaired driving violations and 333 of those were charged under the Criminal Code of Canada. 

The Traffic Safety Spotlight will shine on impaired drivers coming up in August. 

READ MORE: SGI Traffic Safety Spotlight for July: Work Zones

READ MORE: SGI June Spotlight is On New Drivers