Richmond RCMP gave out more than $36,000 in fines in a one-day distracted driving blitz.
On March 11, RCMP were at multiple locations looking for drivers using electronic devices.
At one intersection, police were in an aerial bucket truck they had borrowed from the City of Richmond where they had a long-lens camera to capture drivers using their phones.
Police then radioed officers who were positioned further along and alerted them to the distracted drivers.
Richmond RCMP Sgt. Eric Baskette with the road safety unit said the success of these types of operations come from partnerships involving various agencies and volunteers.
Baskette noted March is distracted driving awareness month.
“We all share the road—drivers, pedestrians and cyclists alike—we need have our eyes up to be alert for changing road conditions,” he said.
The March 11 operation resulted in a total of $36,423 in fines, and 75 charges were laid, RCMP said in a press release.
This included 59 fines for using an electronic device while driving, 12 vehicle-related infractions, one fine for not having a driver’s licence, one for not wearing a seatbelt, one for not stopping at a yellow light and another for not stopping at a red light.
Using an electronic device while driving carries a fine of $368 and four penalty points.
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