Saskatchewan law enforcement was busier than they'd like to see catching drivers speeding throughout the month of April. 

SGI's Traffic Safety Spotlight for the month of April was speeding and aggressive driving where over 8,000 drivers were caught and issued tickets.

"The need for speed caught up with over 8,000 drivers during the month. That is not something we want to see. Those posted speed limits are on our roads for a reason. Excessive speeding and aggressive driving are among the leading factors in traffic-related deaths and injuries on Saskatchewan roads," said SGI's Manager of Media Relations, Tyler McMurchy.

The number through April is abnormally high when compared to most months. However, it ranks second to just one month prior when SGI recorded the highest number of tickets issued in the five-year history of the Traffic Safety Spotlight.

"In March, we recorded the most ever speeding and aggressive driving tickets issued by police in five years. April of 2019 is taking the second spot all time. That's much higher than we want to see. We know that when you see a lot of charges that means that our laws are being enforced, and obviously police do a very good job of enforcing those laws, but they wouldn't be catching this many people if drivers weren't doing it."

Of those drivers caught speeding, 433 exceeded the speed limit in a school zone, 341 exceeded 60 km/h while passing a stopped emergency vehicle with lights flashing, 247 exceeded the speed limit by more than 35 km/h, and an additional 46 exceeded the speed limit by more than 50 km/h.

The concerning number, with the importance of keeping our province's children safe, is the 433 that exceed posted speed limits in school zones.

"School zones are occupied by children, that's the reason speed limits are lower there. Children don't always pay attention to traffic rules, so it's incumbent upon motorists to pay more attention to them. Children can cross where they are not supposed to, they can run across the street chasing a ball, or are just really excited to get to school. Drivers have to realize when school zones are present, and for the people who make the mistake of speeding through school zones, those tickets are more expensive."

SGI will continue to shed a light on traffic safety issues throughout the spring.  The Traffic Safety Spotlight for May is on impaired driving and will follow with distracted driving in June.