Few additional distracted driving tickets given to mid-island drivers during crackdown
NANAIMO — B.C.’s much publicized crackdown on distracted driving didn’t lead to significantly more tickets in the mid-island area.
“The behaviours we’re seeing don’t really seem to be abating. (People are) still out there distractedly driving,” Central Island Traffic Services RCMP Cpl. Mike Elston told NanaimoNewsNOW.
Thirty-one tickets were issued in September for the mid-island area. On average, Elston said they give out 21 tickets per month in the summer. The month-long campaign was specifically targeted to the use of electronic devices such as cell phones.
“The truth is, there’s not enough police officers on the road to make people feel that they’re going to get caught. It’s just not going to happen. You don’t see a police car on every block, second block or even kilometre. So there’s a feeling by a lot of people that if they just do something quick, then it’s not that big of a deal.”