Distracted drivers were the target of a recent campaign by the Prince George RCMP.
The Traffic Services Section conducted the enforcement campaign between February 1st and March 31st and have now released numbers.
There were 107 provincial violations issued:
- 92 tickets for using a cell phone while driving;
- 5 tickets for Driving while the View or Vehicle Controls are Obstructed (this includes pets on laps and cargo blocking the front window); and
- 10 ticket for Driving without Due Care and Attention.
Officers also charged 140 persons for failing to wear a seatbelt while searching for distracted drivers.
“These numbers demonstrate the need for more distracted driving enforcement,” said Sgt. Matt LaBelle, of the Prince George RCMP’s Traffic Services Section in a statement.
“Even though this campaign is now over, we will continue to seek out drivers on their phones.”
RCMP is reminding drivers to use a hands-free device or park their vehicle in a safe place off the road, which does not include the shoulder of a highway, if they do feel the need to use their phone.
Using a cell phone at a red light, “just holding it”, and “just plugging it in” still counts as using a cell phone, according to police.
A Distracted Driving Violation rings in at a minimum of $543 for a first-time offender (initial fine is $368, plus four demerit points adding $175). That cost goes up to $888 for second offences and increases for each subsequent offence.
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