The May long weekend marks the start of an annual increased crack down on unsafe or dangerous driving behaviours by RCMP traffic units.
But this year the RCMP has a few new tools to help them nab drivers who are potentially putting others’ lives at risk.
"We’re in the midst of a roll-out of new distracted driving scopes. The scopes help us spot drivers who may be texting or on the phone, from up to 1.2 kms away," says Constable Melissa Wutke, spokesperson for BC RCMP Traffic Services.
She points out the new scopes are attached to cameras, so that police have photographic proof if required.
The scopes are now being used by the provincial Traffic services members throughout the province to help tackle what’s become unfortunately one of the top dangerous driving behaviours in BC.
It’s amazing how many people think they have a unique ability to drive a four thousand pound object hurtling down the road, without needing to watch where they’re going, says Cst. Wutke. But that mistaken belief killed 66 people in 2014 on BC roads.
She reminds drivers that on June 1 the new fines for distracted driving kick in. A first offense will cost drivers $543 in financial penalties. Last year during May long weekend enforcement RCMP in BC handed out 199 tickets for using an electronic device while driving.
May 17 is also the start of National Road Safety week. That means whether your trip takes you across BC or out in the rest of Canada, police will be looking for not just distracted driving but other risky offences such as speeding or aggressive driving, impaired driving and lack of seatbelt use.
Over the 2015 May long weekend RCMP in BC handed out numerous tickets or forwarded charges for those offences as well:
2,078 tickets for speeding with 122 of those being tickets for excessive speed (and subject to impound)
224 drivers stopped for being impaired by drug or alcohol, facing consequences ranging from criminal charges to vehicle impoundment and/or suspension of licenses.
275– tickets for driving without a seatbelt
33 prohibited drivers stopped, and their vehicles impounded.
This summer as you take to the road for that camping trip, or just to visit friends or family for a barbecue, remember you may not even see the police enforcement efforts. But know all our officers want is to ensure everyone arrives safely at their destinations, says Cst. Wutke.
