In 2018 Oak Bay Police issued 14 tickets for distracted driving—just over one a month.
Within a 24 hour period this week, they issued two.
On Jan. 16 they gave a ticket to someone talking on the phone while driving a drilling truck.
Drilling trucks are very large & must be difficult to maneuver through #oakbay's streets. Imagine driving one while being on a cell phone? That's not just tricky...but expensive. Y'day it cost a driver $368. pic.twitter.com/Fx6ZHSPtA6
— Oak Bay Police (@OakBayPolice) January 17, 2019
The next morning they issued another one during the school rush when they spotted a driver looking at a phone while turning their vehicle.
Just issued another $368 ticket. You can't see kids walking to school when you're turning your car while looking at your phone!😡FYI, you also can't see us. Fortunately, no child struck this morning. If you text & drive in #oakbay, you get a ticket...& you get a ticket...& you... pic.twitter.com/geycfcFq07
— Oak Bay Police (@OakBayPolice) January 17, 2019
Each ticket is worth $368, plus four driver penalty points – enough to increase premiums when the time comes to renew insurance.
“There’s no excuse for driving while texting or talking on your phone,” said Oak Bay Police Deputy Chief Ray Bernoties. “It is a selfish act that places others at risk.”
Distracted driving is also enforced in Oak Bay by the Integrated Road Safety Unit, so the tickets issued by Oak Bay Police may not represent the total number of tickets issued in town last year.
jesse.laufer@oakbaynews.com
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