Langley Mounties fight distracted driving with volunteer program
Posted January 26, 2017 7:10 am.
Last Updated January 26, 2017 8:40 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
LANGLEY (NEWS 1130) – How many times have you caught yourself using your phone behind the wheel?
Langley Mounties are fighting back against what they call a growing and persistent problem.
Officers have gone from education to full-out and strict enforcement of the rules because of that.
They’re getting some help too from volunteers says Corporal Holly Largy.
The program is called Cell Watch.
“They are positioned in high-collision locations. Basically what they do is they watch for people that are holding electronic devices in their hands and driving distracted. Then they record the plate numbers of the vehicles,” explains Largy.
The registered owner will then get a notice in the mail letting them know they narrowly escaped a hefty fine.
“The letter says, ‘Your vehicle with someone driving it was seen with the person driving distracted. Had this been an enforcement initiative, this person would’ve received a ticket for $360. In addition, this person would’ve received four points against their license.'”
In many cases, that owner is a parent.
“The parents are actually assuming that their kids are out there driving safely not doing anything wrong, leaving the phone alone, etc.,” she says.
“And then they’re getting this letter which pretty much tells them that somebody that doesn’t have anything to gain by doing this is telling us that that’s not what happening when you take out our car.”
Largy hopes that letter will open some eyes and inspire some changes.
