BC driver breaks absurd distracted driving record

Last week, West Vancouver RCMP reported an incident that seemed to encapsulate the distracted driving epidemic in B.C.

Despite multiple signs warning drivers in advance, RCMP issued two distracted driving tickets for cell phone use to the exact same driver within a 13 minute span.

#wvpdtraffic members just issued the same driver two distracted driving/cell phone vt's within 13 minutes of each other as the male drove along Marine Dr from Taylor Way onto Lions Gate bridge. Fortunately only the wallet was hurt, so please #leavethatphonealone

— West Vancouver PD (@WestVanPolice) March 8, 2018

Many social media users commented that issuing two tickets to the same driver in 13 minutes must be some type of terrible record.

However, RCMP today reported another incident that broke last week's dubious record and reiterated that distracted driving in B.C. is a real issue.

Distracted driver ticketed twice in 7 minutes. That’s $736 and 8 points. #NewWest #vancity #leavethephonealone pic.twitter.com/n1gClVOxkE

— NWPD Traffic (@NWPDtraffic) March 14, 2018

In a span of 7 minutes, a driver in New Westminster received two separate distracted driving tickets costing them over $700 and 8 demerit points.

The surge in tickets came during distracted driving month, where RCMP have been cracking down heavily on cell phone users at the wheel.

The campaign has seen immediate results in just two weeks.

Last weekend, the South Okanagan RCMP used a bus to spot distracted drivers, and handed out 54 cell phone violations.

On March 6, North Vancouver RCMP issued 74 tickets for distracted driving within two hours, despite giving drivers an advance notice of their presence.

Do yourself a favour and leave the phone alone!

The money is better spent elsewhere.