In just 90 minutes, Burnaby RCMP pulled over almost 30 drivers who they witnessed texting or talking on a cellphone while driving along Hastings Street. The blitz coincides with the kickoff of ICBC's distracted driving campaign.
"Our goal here is to prevent collisions and save lives through education and enforcement focused on high-risk driving habits such as using electronic devices while driving," Burnaby RCMP Chief Supt. Dave Critchley said in a press release.
"In the hour-and-a-half that we've been here (Tuesday), we've charged 11 drivers and issued 18 written warnings," Cpl. Rick Skolrood of the Burnaby RCMP said. "Our members also issued numerous verbal warnings far exceeding the number of tickets which were issued. We've also witnessed a number of drivers skidding to a stop at yellow and red lights once they've noticed the police presence, which would indicate they weren't paying full attention to their driving."
ICBC statistics show that a driver is four times more likely to be involved in a collision while speaking on the phone and 23 times more likely while texting.
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