Top cop warns against cellphone use

With school out and a host of fresh young drivers on the streets, RCMP are reminding all drivers that distracted driving is extremely dangerous and illegal.

While a quick phone call or text message at 100 km/h may seem innocuous, Barrhead RCMP Sgt. Bob Dodds compared it to playing a game of Russian roulette.

“You don’t have to be on the road for very long to see drivers on their cell phones,” he said.

“You might get away with it three, four or even 100 times. Its that 101st time that costs you.”

“I sure wish people would remember that their trip is going to be a couple of minutes,” he said.

“For those couple of minutes, concentrate on your trip, get there in one piece and then you can get into communication with people you haven’t spoken to in five minutes.”

Dodds said that his detachment deals with collisions linked to distracted driving on a regular basis — usually accidents involving animal strikes.

“On a daily basis, we’re seeing car versus deer, or moose,” said Dodds.

“I often wonder how many of those animal collisions are happening because people aren’t paying attention to what they’re doing.”

Distracted driving is not limited to just texting or talking on your cellphone.

Violations can include things like applying makeup, having a pet in your lap, reading, writing or sketching.

Under the Traffic Safety Act, getting caught not paying attention to the road will net a $287 fine.

While it doesn’t increase for repeat offenders, Dodds pointed out that police have other options when it comes to people who refuse to learn their lesson.

“It would be $287 until we get tired of giving the same person the same ticket,” he said.

“Then it’s time to tell a judge why you need to talk on your phone while driving.”

He added that RCMP frequently conduct distraction traps, using unmarked cars to spot drivers not paying attention and then relaying that information to patrol cars who then pull the offending vehicle over.

One area where driving and using a cellphone is acceptable is for police themselves.

Because of the challenges of their work, police are legally allowed to make phone calls related to their duties while on the move.

“I can understand why people might get put off by that,” said Dodds.

“But it is a provision in the act because cellphones are a lot more reliable means of communication than our radios are in a lot of cases.”

Also in the grey area are CB radios used by truckers, cab drivers and other professional drivers in the capacity of their jobs.