March is Distracted Driving Month and Vernon RCMP volunteers will be conducting operations to check for drivers on their phones talking or texting.
Cell Watch Operations is designed to remind drivers that it is illegal and dangerous to use hand-held cell phones and other portable electronic devices when driving.
“The information recorded will be used to send the registered owner a warning letter from the RCMP and in the future, may be used to issue a traffic violation,” said Regan Borisenko, the City of Vernon’s crime prevention co-ordinator.
Distracted driving is a leading cause of car crash fatalities in B.C. and one of the most common distractions behind the wheel is a mobile electronic device. Along with texting, programming a GPS or changing a song poses a risk.
“We’ve all seen distracted drivers checking messages at red lights, or worse,” said Borisenko.
“However, distracted drivers are often our friends, family, and coworkers. We want to remind them that it’s not OK to use an electronic device while driving, even when it might seem harmless.”
Any driver caught texting, e-mailing, holding a cell phone or other hand-held electronic device while driving could be fined $368 and receive four driver penalty points ($175).