By Cheryl Jahn

RCMP, ICBC have new tool to fight distracted driving

Mar 2, 2023 | 3:11 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The local RCMP has a new tool in its toolbox to cut down on distracted drivers. And its not what many would expect. It’s a bus.

“We’re always looking for unique ways to educate the public on staying alert and focused. When you’re out on the road. So we use the bus today,” says Tracey Hoffman, Road Safety and Community Coordinator for ICBC. “We’re driving up and down Highway 97 looking for distracted drivers and then, of course, the RCMP and to see where they’re doing some enforcement today as well as we had some spotters, some citizens on patrol, volunteers as well as myself on the bus today just looking for distracted drivers out there.”

The spotters on the bus will identify motorists who are driving while distracted and pass on the information to a patrolling vehicle.

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“March is ICBC’s Distracted Driving Awareness Campaign month,” explains Cpl. Jennifer Cooper with the Prince George RCMP. “And we are again partnered with ICBC, Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement, B.C. Highway Patrol to bring awareness to Prince George that distracted driving is not only against the law, but incredibly dangerous.”

For the local RCMP and ICBC, this is the newest weapon in the in the fight against distracted driving.

“We’ve used previously a kind of eye in the sky where we’ve partnered with the City to do use a kind of the bird’s eye view and look down,” says Cpl Cooper. “And we thought it was time for something different in Prince George. So this idea came about. We know that we do see lots of drivers around Prince George on their cell phones, using them for a variety of reasons. Most frequently, I’d say we see them holding the cell phone on speakerphone to have a conversation. Also against Motor Vehicle Act. ”

There is one more common form of distracted driving. “The cell phone is the main thing. But anything that takes your focus off the road is a distraction. And when you’re distracted, you put your own safety at risk, as well as the safety of your passengers and all other road users out there. So it can include eating, doing your makeup, doing your hair. So anything that takes your focus off the road is considered a distraction,” says Hoffman.”March is distracted driving month in B.C., and distracted driving is an issue everywhere in B.C., even in northern B.C. Approximately 16 people die in northern B.C. every year due to distracted driving-related crashes.”

“You really do need to put the cell phone far away from you. We’re not checking emails. We’re not checking text messages and we’re not holding it to have a conversation,” says Cpl Cooper.

So if you think you can sneak a peek at the cell phone while behind the wheel, just remember, there’s always someone watching.