Local drivers should be on their best behaviour as the New Westminster Police Service will be targeting dangerous driving at key locations in the city this week.
High-risk driving behaviours such as speeding, using electronic devices while driving and not wearing seatbelts are the focus of the provincial high-risk driving campaign this May.
"Our goal in participating in this campaign is to raise awareness of the high-risk driving behaviours causing preventable injuries and deaths in our city," said New Westminster Chief Const. Dave Jones. "We're going to be tough on offenders when we're out there in hopes of making New Westminster's roads safer."
The campaign will be in full force on May 23, 24 and 25.
On May 23, between 2 and 4 p.m., officers will focus on speed and distracted drivers. The plan will include two members in plainclothes watching for electronic device users.
On May 24, between 2 and 4 p.m., the focus will be on speed and distracted drivers. Plainclothes members will also be utilized for distracted drivers.
On May 25, between 3 and 4:30 p.m., the focus will be on distracted drivers, seatbelts and bus lane violations.
Police statistics, using the five-year average from 2005 to 2009, show that about a quarter of all fatal crashes in B.C. were related to distracted driving.
ICBC also reports that, on average, 7,800 speed-related collisions injure 5,100 people and result in 155 fatalities annually.
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