By James Peters

RCMP blitz reminds Kamloops commuters to buckle up, drivers to put their phones away

Mar 5, 2019 | 8:50 AM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops RCMP kicked off a month of cracking down on distracted driving last Friday with a series of roadside checks.

RCMP Traffic Services teamed up with Southeast District Integrated Road Safety Unit officers to set up checks on Lansdowne Street and Columbia Street.

The officers issued a total of 64 tickets for drivers using electronic devices.

Cpl. Jodi Shelkie says even though penalties for getting caught are stiff, drivers simply can’t put their phones away.

“It’s something, I think that socially, we need to remind drivers it’s just not acceptable,” said Shelkie. “When you’re with somebody who’s driving and using their electronic device, you have to tell them, ‘That’s not acceptable.’ Or if you know of somebody that, when they’re driving, they’re using it, you have to remind them that it’s just not right and they’re putting people’s lives at risk.”

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The penalties for a first offence include a $368 fine and four points on the driver’s license, for a total of $543.

Costs escalate with each subsequent ticket, and that doesn’t factor in the increased cost of insurance.

Shelkie notes distracted driving is responsible for one-quarter of all car crash fatalities in B.C.

Officers also honed in on those not wearing seatbelts last Friday.

Vehicle occupants received a total of 19 tickets for failing to wear their restraints.

Shelkie says seatbelt use has been mandatory for decades, and it is surprising that people still neglect to strap them on.

“I do find it surprising. For myself, personally, it’s just an automatic reaction to put on my seatbelt as soon as I get into my vehicle. It actually feels very strange not to be wearing it when I’m either driving or a passenger,” said Shelkie. “So it’s surprising to me that there are still people out there who don’t wear their seatbelts.”

The fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $167, but Shelkie says the consequences can be far worse than just a hit to the pocketbook.

“I’ve been to many collisions – to both motor vehicle collisions where the occupants have been wearing seatbelts and where the occupants have not been wearing seatbelts. The level of injuries is remarkable. Really, the seatbelt is what saves your life,” said Shelkie.

RCMP will keep cracking down on both distracted driving and seatbelt non-use all throughout March.

“Throughout the month of March, our officers are going to be specifically focusing on distracted driving and seatbelts,” said Shelkie. “You can expect to see increased patrols by officers, and also checkstops throughout the city.”