Date: Thursday, July 31, 2014

Listen: From Busses to Bucket Trucks; VicPD’s Traffic Section Gets Creative to Combat Distracted Driving

Victoria BC – VicPD Traffic members are utilizing new, creative, ways of catching distracted drivers.

Yesterday afternoon, and this morning, VicPD officers worked with BC Transit bus drivers to ride the busses, spotting and calling in distracted drivers and other offences under the Motor Vehicle Act. Officers were busy for hours both days and, for the second time this year, utilized public transportation.

This afternoon, officers were using a ‘bucket’ truck to get high above the traffic, spotting seatbelt scoff-laws and distracted drivers. Douglas Street and Pandora Avenue became the VicPD Traffic hot spot as numerous drivers were pulled over for various infractions under the Motor Vehicle Act.

Officers handed out a total of 50 tickets for varying infractions over the two days of enforcement.

The two projects were aimed at setting the tone for a safe, enjoyable holiday weekend.

A complete breakdown of the tickets is below:

Early morning enforcement on the Johnson St Bridge of eastbound traffic as a result of an increase in driving complaints from cyclists about motorists passing unsafely.

1 x Seatbelt
1 x Use Electronic Device While Driving
1 x Fail to Display N (warn)

Partnering with BC Transit for afternoon enforcement on Wednesday, July 30th, 2014

1 x Use Electronic Device While Driving
1 x Seatbelt
5 x Use Electronic Device While Driving
2 x Fail to Produce DL
1 x Seatbelt (2 x Warn)

Early morning enforcement while partnering with BC Transit, Thursday, July 31

8 x Use Electronic Device While Driving
6 x Seatbelt
1 x Disobey Traffic Control Device

Afternoon enforcement utilizing a ‘bucket’ truck to monitor traffic at Douglas Street and Pandora Avenue.

6 x Use Electronic Device While Driving
7 x Seatbelt
2 x Disobey Traffic Control Device
1 x No Front Plate
1 x Obstructed Plate
1 x Red light Violation
1 Prohibition Notice
1 x Notice and Order
1 x Fail to Change Address
1 x Fail to Produce DL
1 Towed vehicle in bus stop