Distracted drivers never saw the police coming
RCMP in the Central Okanagan have concluded several successful enforcement operations, geared towards March’s Distracted Driving Awareness month, using both overt methods and undercover techniques to spot drivers handling electronic devices while behind the wheel.
The Municipal Traffic Section of the Kelowna RCMP and RCMP Central Okanagan Traffic Services joined forces to conduct these co-ordinated enforcement operations to target distracted drivers. Both traffic services sections have already handed out an estimated total of 300 violation tickets to drivers caught using their electronic devices.
RCMP in Kelowna continue to spot drivers performing tasks like talking on their cellphones or texting while driving or at a stop at a traffic light.
“Our traffic enforcement officers have even taken to the busy streets of Kelowna in plain clothes as spotters, using unsuspecting vehicles to pull along side other motorists,” said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey. “A uniformed enforcement officer, staged in the area, would then be called in to conduct the traffic stop with that motorist.”
“We want the motoring public to remain focused on their surroundings at all times, especially when stopped in traffic, and wonder whether or not the man or woman in the vehicle beside them could be a traffic cop searching for distracted drivers,” said Sgt. Mark Booth NCO In-Charge of the Kelowna RCMP municipal traffic section.
O’Donaghey reminds the public that, “using an electronic device while behind the wheel can cost a driver a fine amount of $368 and four driver penalty points.”