RCMP using ‘creative’ tactics to catch distracted drivers

The Mounties recently released statistics saying that over Thanksgiving weekend alone, 20 drivers were charged with distracted driving.

The charge carries a fine of $237.50 for a first offence.

“That goes up to $582.50 for that third offence. So it goes up pretty high, pretty fast,” says Cpl. Jennifer Clarke with Nova Scotia RCMP.

Clarke says that any number of things can be a distraction for drivers on the road.

“Your car radio, your passengers, your music. Maybe you might be eating something in your vehicle, drinking a coffee,” she tells NEWS 95.7's The Todd Veinotte Show.

But the number one concern police have in 2019 is cell phones.

“We live in a very fast-paced environment,” says Clarke. “Taking some time to finish what you're doing and ignore the phone for a little bit is not something that a lot of people are willing to do.”

Clarke says Nova Scotia RCMP catch about 1,800 drivers annually using their devices.

“It's a very high number and it's been really consistent over the past three years,” she adds.

But Clarke says RCMP are beginning to take a unique approach to how they catch drivers using cell phones behind the wheel.

“If you speak to anyone who drives a higher vehicle like a tractor-trailer, especially around a city, it's just shocking how much they're seeing,” she explains.

RCMP have been partnering with tractor-trailer drivers to get a birds-eye view of drivers who may be using phones.

“I see it all the time, people are sitting at intersections with their faces in their laps looking down at their phones,” says Clarke. 

She also says RCMP officers may not always appear in uniform when on the hunt for distracted drivers.

“You might see us out there all dressed up as construction workers. I've seen our members stand out there with a hitchhiker-type sign,” she says. “We're getting pretty creative in how we're trying to enforce the cell phone laws in this province as they apply to driving.”

The RCMP spokesperson explains that distracted driving is one of the four most common causes of fatal accidents.

“Distracted driving is almost as dangerous as impaired driving,” she says. “We just need to keep getting the message out there. It's really important for people to understand.”

Clarke encourages other drivers on the roads to report distracted driving, as it can help police get the offender off the road.

“If they're able to provide us some descriptors of the vehicle we're looking for, we would encourage them to call us every time they see that,” she explains.