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Wood Buffalo RCMP hand out 25 distracted driving tickets

Last Updated Nov 15, 2016 at 11:35 am MDT

A sign outside the Wood Buffalo RCMP Timberlea detachment.

Over the week of November 7th-13th the Wood Buffalo RCMP traffic unit handed out 25 distracted driving tickets.

“That is unusually high for us here, especially coming into winter and since they weren’t doing any focused operations on to it, this was during their regular patrol… that is a lot,” Said Corporal Erika Laird. 

Distracted driving is when any driver behaviour takes their attention away from the roads, such as: texting while driving, talking on a hand-held cellphone, putting on makeup and reading a newspaper or book.

Drivers are encouraged to use hands-free devices or to pull over if they need to make a phone, respond to a text or check an email.

The fine for distracted driving is $287, along with three demerit points.

Police officers will continue to enforce distracted driving laws, especially as road conditions worsen with winter.

If you witness distracted driving you should pull over when safe and contact the RCMP non-emergency line at (780)-788-4000.