Drivers in New Westminster seem to be getting the message that bad driving habits could have serious consequences after police released the results of this year’s Operation Impact traffic safety blitz.
From Oct. 11 to 14, while most people were enjoying the holiday weekend, New Westminster police officers were roaming the streets looking for dangerous, distracted or impaired drivers. The four-day campaign focused on the four most common dangerous habits of drivers: lack of seat belts, drinking and driving, aggressive driving and distracted driving.
This year, officers issued a total of 87 tickets, a substantial step down from the almost 150 tickets that were issued in 2012, according to the New Westminster police.
Of the 87 tickets issued, only 17 were for distracted driving, which police are calling a success after officers handed out 59 tickets last October.
“We hope this trend continues given the dangers posed by people using cellphones for calling or texting while driving,” said Staff Sgt. Paul Hyland in a media release.
Aggressive drivers, however, still racked up the most tickets this year. Police issued 52 tickets for aggressive driving, which includes speeding, unsafe lane changes, following too closely, failing to obey red lights or stop signs.
All in all, the results were positive, according to the release. There were two fewer roadside prohibitions than in 2012 and one less seat belt ticket too.
