SGI asked to consider appeal for work trucks seized for distracted driving

REGINA—The provincial government has asked Saskatchewan Government Insurance to consider an appeal mechanism for vehicles impounded due to violations of distracted driving laws.

The request is a response to a complaint from a Saskatoon businessman who had one of his company vehicles impounded after an employee was caught using his cell phone while driving for the second time.

SGI Minister Don McMorris says employers are still responsible in such cases, but says when it’s someone’s income at stake, there should at least be a chance to get the vehicle back in two or three days instead of seven.

McMorris says he’s also talking just about working vehicles such as gravel trucks.

He says if it’s a car or a simple truck involved, the vehicle can always be replaced by a rental.

As of late June when new traffic safety laws came into effect, there are three different types of vehicle impoundment—driving drunk, driving with a suspended licence, and engaging in high-risk driving, which includes distracted driving.

People can appeal an impoundment if their vehicle was reported stolen or if continued impoundment would pose a serious threat to a person’s health.