New tool means police can catch distracted drivers from over 1km away
Posted May 17, 2016 12:36 pm.
Last Updated May 18, 2016 9:45 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Traffic police have a new tool to help them bust distracted drivers in BC.
This comes just ahead of the May long weekend and in time for the start of a crackdown on dangerous driving.
The upgraded camera scopes will allow officers to catch people using the phones while driving from up to 1.2km away.
“In addition to the officer actually viewing the violation, it allows that officer to capture a still image of the violation while it’s happening,” says Constable Melissa Wutke with BC RCMP Traffic Services. “That just helps us make our best evidence in court if we need to. But it also allows the violator to make an appointment to come down to the police office and actually look at the photo for themselves.”
“It eliminates any conversation or disagreement that the offense was taking place at the time that the officer says it was happening — as opposed to just the officer’s word against the driver’s,” she adds.
Police say the scopes will help tackle what’s become one of the top dangerous driving behaviours in BC, with 66 people killed in distracted driving accidents in 2014.
New fines for distracted driving kick in on June 1st, with the first offense costing a total of $543.