If you’re behind the wheel, keep your hands off the phone.
That’s the message sent by volunteers with signs meant to remind motorists of the dangers of distracted driving during an enforcement blitz at the intersection of Capilano Road and Marine Drive last Thursday.
But some people still aren’t getting the message.
Despite the placards warning against distracted driving, 23 tickets were handed out by police between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., said Corp. Richard De Jong, spokesman for the North Vancouver RCMP. The vast majority of those people were using their cellphones, he added.
Excuses ranged from, “I didn’t realize it was against the law” to “It was important.” Others just conceded they’d been busted.
According to ICBC, distracted driving now accounts for more fatalities than impaired driving. Drivers are also five times more likely to crash while using a hand-held phone.
A ticket for distracted driving – which includes holding the phone – is $543.
