Distracted driving kills.
That’s why RCMP and other agencies were out conducting an enforcement blitz Wednesday at one of the deadliest intersections in Chilliwack: Vedder Road and Luckakuck Way.
They used a bucket truck to help spot drivers using hand-held devices, and other driving no-nos.
Earlier this month, police were aboard city transit buses to get a better angle on potentially law-breaking drivers.
“Distracted driving was responsible for nearly a quarter of all car crash fatalities in B.C. over the past five years, making this the second-leading cause of motor vehicle fatalities behind speeding and narrowly ahead of impaired driving,” said Michael Weightman, Road and Safety Coordinator for ICBC.
Police handed out 60 tickets overall in Chilliwack for the month-long campaign and 36 of those were for distracted driving. The bucket truck effort alone on Wednesday netted 26 violators of which 14 were for distracted driving and several for seatbelts.
Another five were nabbed from transit spotters on March 21.
It took reps from Fraser Valley Traffic Services, Chilliwack Speed Watch, Safer City, ICBC and Cell Watch officers participating at locations around the city.
“Distracted driving is preventable. Through educating the motoring public and traffic enforcement, police are working toward removing this dangerous habit from the roadways of our community,” said RCMP Cpl. Mike Rail of the UFVRD.
Tips:
• Leave the phone alone and minimize distractions;
• Plan a route and secure pets;
• Keep eyes on the road; hands on wheel;
• Put the phone out of reach.
