In less than an hour, 7 drivers were busted during a coordinated traffic stop in Kamloops

In less than an hour, the Kamloops RCMP Municipal Traffic Unit busted seven people using electronic devices while driving on 8th Street.

On Tuesday, Nov. 23, an officer dressed in plain clothes held a “police ahead” sign near the North Shore Community Police Detachment as a part of a coordinated crackdown on distracted driving.

But some drivers still did not put their phones down while on the road.

“Even with penalties and fines totalling more than $500, we’re still only seeing subtle changes in behaviour – not at all what you would expect with everything we know about the dangers of distracted driving,” said Cpl Wayne Chung.

Using hand-held electronic devices has been banned in BC since 2010.

According to the news release, ICBC reports that more than one quarter of all car crash fatalities in BC are caused by distracted driving and a driver’s chance of crashing is five times higher when they are on their phone.

These warning sign tactics are just one way the Municipal Traffic Unit busts drivers using their phones.

Other tactics include standing in plain sight in bright coloured uniforms.

“If a driver doesn’t notice a police officer in a fluorescent vest, how are they going to notice a child running across the street,” added Cpl. Chung.

The Kamloops traffic unit suggests that if drivers find it difficult to leave your phone alone while driving, turn it to silent and keep it out of reach and out of sight.

They can also turn on a “do not disturb while driving” feature that will send automatic replies to incoming texts and route incoming calls to voicemail.