Seven people caught using phones while driving in RCMP crackdown

A sign warning drivers to get off their phones wasn’t enough to catch the attention of more than half a dozen distracted motorists in Kamloops last week.

In less than an hour, Kamloops RCMP say their Municipal Traffic Unit caught seven people using their electronic devices while driving on Eighth Street on Tuesday (Nov. 23).

An officer in plain clothes held a “police ahead” sign, with anti texting and cellphone graphics, near the North Shore Community Police Detachment as part of a crackdown on distracted driving.

“Even with penalties and fines totalling more than $500, we’re still only seeing subtle changes in behaviour – not at all what you would expect with everything we know about the dangers of distracted driving,” Cpl. Wayne Chung says. “If a driver doesn’t notice a police officer in a fluorescent vest, how are they going to notice a child running across the street.”

According to ICBC, more than one quarter of all car crash fatalities are due to distracted driving, and a driver’s chance of crashing is five times higher when they are on their phone. Using hand-held personal electronic devices while driving has been banned in B.C. since 2010 and applies even when motorists are in slower traffic or stopped at a red light.

Anyone who finds it difficult to leave their phone alone while driving are asked turn it to silent, keep it out of reach and sight, and turn on “Do Not Disturb While Driving” features that will send automatic replies to incoming texts and route incoming calls to voicemail.