Put down that phone: Burnaby Mounties target distracted drivers

The RCMP in Burnaby is urging drivers to put their phones away when they are driving.

Mounties in that city have been increasing enforcement as part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, handing out 67 cell phone tickets and 15 written warnings in just four days.

Police say, in some cases, drivers were so distracted by their phones that they only noticed a police officer standing beside their vehicle after the officer knocked on their window to get their attention.

Some of the top excuses given included, “I didn’t know I couldn’t use my phone at a red light,” “I had an urgent email,” and “I was checking my GPS.”

Last year, the Burnaby RCMP wrote more than 1,500 tickets for distracted driving, making it one of the top traffic violations in the city, second only to speeding.

“Our officers will continue enhanced enforcement efforts for distracted drivers over the next month, but these operations happen year-round,” said Corp. Ed Faustino. “The goal in sharing this information is to educate and encourage all drivers to create healthy habits and to leave their phone alone when behind the wheel to keep our roads and communities safer.”

Distracted driving legislation was introduced in 2010, and fines and penalties were increased further in 2016.

Drivers found using their phones behind the wheel are subject to fines starting at $368 and could end up with four penalty points added to their driver’s records.

With files from John Ackermann.