Police issue more than 20 tickets during Nelson Distracted Driving Program road check
By Nelson Daily Staff
West Kootenay Traffic Services (WKTS) and the Integrated Road Safety Unit (IRSU) issued a handful of tickets during a Distracted Driving Program road check in Nelson.
Earlier this month during a road check at Front and Ward Streets in Nelson, police wrote more than 20 infractions said A/Cpl. Chuck Brind’Amour of the West Kootenay Integrated Road Safety Unit ( I.R.S.U.)
Fifteen of the tickets were for seat-belt infraction, five for use of a cell phone or electronic device, three warnings for defects, and one each for no insurance and driver’s license.
The final ticket was a commercial inspection.
During the month of February police have been on the lookout for distracted driving behaviours commonly seen such as, texting while driving, talking on a hand-held cell phone while driving, putting on makeup while driving and reading a newspaper or book while driving.
If drivers need to make a phone call on a cellular phone or check email, they are advised to use a hands free device, or pull their vehicle over.
The fine for using an electronic device without hands-free while driving is $167.
Drivers caught texting or emailing may receive 3 Driver Penalty Points (DPP) in addition to the fine.
RCMP Drivers in the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) are not permitted to use any prescribed electronic device, even if it is hands-free.
GLP drivers will receive the $167 fine and 3 DPP for violating the Distracted Driving Legislation.
Brind’Amour said police would continue with the Distracted Driver Enforcement Initiatives throughout the West Kootenay for the remainder of the month of February.
