Distracted driving is still an issue on the city's roads, according to the Prince George RCMP.
Halfway through the RCMP's February campaign against distracted driving, traffic and general duty officers have served 88 Motor Vehicle Act violation tickets for the offence, which carries a $167 fine.
"We are finding that drivers are not getting the message about distracted driving" said Cpl. Corey Eggen of the Prince George RCMP municipal traffic section.
"Officers are able to locate violators at any time of the day and nearly anywhere in our community. Our fear is that some people won't learn until it's too late."
The Motor Vehicle Act states a driver cannot use an electronic device while behind the wheel and that includes holding or watching a device, let alone operating or talking on one. And electronic devices include hand-held GPSs and hand microphones as well as cellphones, smartphones and other hand-held devices.
The only exception are devices that are "securely fixed to the motor vehicle" and "in a manner that does not obstruct the driver's view of the front or sides of the motor vehicle or interfere with the safety or operating equipment of the motor vehicle."
An example is a built-in GPS system.
Also, drivers still going through the graduated licensing program are not allowed to use any electronic devices, including those with hands-free technology.
Here are some tips for avoiding a ticket for the offence:
- Use a hands free device: These devices are relatively inexpensive, simple to use and often sync with your phone's address book;
- Pull off the road before answering the phone: Even if you intend on pulling over, answering the phone before you pull over is a violation of the Act;
- Pull over to a safe location: The shoulder of a highway is not a safe place. Find a pull out or parking lot where you are well off the road and not at risk of being rear-ended by another driver;
- Let the call go to voice mail or let the text stay unread for a few minutes: Nothing is so important that it is worth increasing the risk to your life.
Here's a look at some of the comments Prince George RCMP get when they pull over a distracted driver, and the answers they'll give:
"I was just holding the cell phone."
Under provincial law, the definition of "using" an electronic device includes holding it. Therefore, just holding an electronic device is an offence. The driver does not have to be talking on it or typing.
"It's not a phone, it's a personal music player."
Under the Motor Vehicle Act, an electronic device includes not only cellular phones, but also audio players, GPS systems, televisions and hand held microphones.
"I was just sending a quick text while sitting in traffic."
Whether sitting in traffic or waiting at a red light, a driver is still "operating" a motor vehicle and therefore still violating the Act.
- Prince George RCMP
