March Targeted Traffic Enforcement and Education Detail Update:
During the month of March the Traffic Services Unit is focusing on traffic light offences. This targeted enforcement is in addition to regular traffic enforcement and education the Unit provides on a daily basis.
So far this month the Traffic Unit has laid 135 charges in relations to traffic light offences.
But Traffic Services Unit Sergeant Peter Sejrup says despite the Unit’s attempt to focus on traffic light infractions they continue to see cell phone infractions.
“Even following our February targeted enforcement of distracted driving this is still a huge problem,” says Sgt. Sejrup.
“During a one day detail on March 22 focusing on traffic light offences we still laid 12 charges for distracted driving.”
Sgt. Serjup reminds motorists that distracted driving, which comes with a fine of $490, includes the use of cell phones, tablets, GPS and iPod’s.
If you are a novice driver and are convicted of distracting driving you will face an automatic 30 day licence suspension and a $490 fine for the first conviction.
It’s against the law to use hand-held communication (e.g. your phone) and electronic entertainment devices (e.g. DVD player, e-reader) while driving. Simply holding a phone or other device while driving is against the law.
The Traffic Services Unit reminds citizens that the vehicle does not have to be in motion for a charged of distracted driving to be laid. Using a handheld device, such as a cellphone or GPS, while stopped at a red light or stop sign, is considered distracted driving.
Fines for disobeying traffic signals include the following:
- Red light $325 and 3 demerit points
- Amber light $180 and 3 demerit points
- Green arrow-fail to proceed as directed $110 and 3 demerit points
- Fail to yield to pedestrian $180 and 3 demerit points
- Fail to obey crossing guard sign $180 and 3 demerit points
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
