The St. Stephen RCMP will be keeping a close eye on distracted driving during the month of April. The detachment is increasing enforcement efforts in the St. Stephen and McAdam areas by conducting several distracted driving operations during the month.
"Drivers continue to ignore the law by texting, holding onto the phone while talking, or operating a GPS or other electronic device while driving," says Sgt. Peter Stubbs, St. Stephen RCMP. "Reaction time is delayed when a driver takes their eyes off the road for even just a few seconds to text or program a GPS and this increases the likelihood of being involved in a serious or fatal crash."
A recent enforcement initiative in St. Stephen resulted in four drivers being ticketed in just over an hour for operating a handheld device. A ticket carries a fine of $172.50 and each driver lost three points from their driver's license.
The St. Stephen detachment is taking a zero-tolerance approach regarding distracted driving. "Those who continue to text and drive, or dial phone numbers while driving, are aware that their actions are illegal as the law has been in place for several years now," adds Sgt. Stubbs. "What's happening is more and more drivers are attempting to avoid detection but really, it's obvious what they're doing because their eyes are looking down and not out at the road."
The New Brunswick Motor Vehicle Act clearly states that a driver cannot operate or hold a device and that includes while stopped at an intersection or traffic light.