When it comes to distracted driving, it appears Prince George commuters are still not getting the message.
Mounties handed out 28 tickets of that very violation, which all instances were the use of electronic devices while behind the wheel, in just over an eight-hour period on Wednesday (March 3) last week.
Prince George Traffic Services Unit and Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) joined together to enforce Motor Vehicle Act regulations throughout the city.
In that span, officers conducted mobile checks and set up checkpoints to ensure vehicles and drivers were maintaining safe driving habits.
"Drivers should be aware that even though they don’t see us while they are using their phones and driving, we see them," says Sgt. Kyle Ushock, head of the Prince George Traffic Services Unit, in a news release this morning (March 8).
"The 28 tickets we handed out for using an electronic device makes this very apparent."
March is Distracted Driving Awareness month, so RCMP says drivers can expect to see more joint enforcement efforts in Prince George during this time.
Mounties note that distracted driving includes using an electronic device, personal grooming, eating or drinking, reading, interactions with pets, other passengers or not knowing your route.
Here are some of the statistics from their efforts on March 3, which include other violations under the Motor Vehicle Act:
Prince George Traffic Services:
- 14 = Use electronic device tickets
- Seven = Speeding tickets
- Two = Excessive speed impoundments (Seven-day minimum)
- Two = Illegible plate tickets
- Two = Notice and Order for window tint
- One = Serve driving prohibition
- One = Speed in a school zone ticket
- One = Fail to wear seatbelt tickets
- One = Fail to slow down and move over ticket
Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement:
- 14 = Use electronic device tickets
- Two = Fail to slow down and move over tickets
- Two = Notice and Order for window tint
- One = Speeding ticket
- One = Disobey traffic control device ticket
- One = Notice and Order for illegal emissions modifications
