Metro Vancouver Transit Police photo
The Metro Vancouver Transit Police Targeted Mobile Enforcement Team (TMET) issued 346 violation tickets during 23 distracted driving enforcement initiatives in and around major transit hubs, in support of ICBC’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month campaign.
Throughout the month of March, Transit Police TMET targeted distracted drivers who posed a threat to pedestrians making their way to and from transit stations and bus loops across Metro Vancouver. Enforcement took place at transit hubs including Brentwood, Lougheed, Coquitlam Central, Aberdeen, Main Street Station, Guildford and Newton, among others.
TMET was joined in these efforts by BC Highway Patrol, Burnaby RCMP, North Vancouver RCMP, Richmond RCMP, Vancouver Police Department, and West Vancouver Police Department.
During the month of March, TMET issued 267 Provincial violation tickets to people for using electronic devices while driving, resulting in $98,256 in fines. Officers also issued 79 additional violation tickets to drivers for a variety of offences, including: Drive Contrary to Restrictions, No Driver’s License, Drive without Insurance, and impaired driving. Numerous other drivers were given warnings and educated about the dangers of distracted driving.
“When you’re distracted, your reaction times are slow,” said Sgt. Steve Newton. “You are 3.6 times more likely to crash if you’re on your phone while driving, and 40 per cent of distracted driving related crashes occur at intersections. This creates an incredibly dangerous environment for people who are walking to and from transit stations, bus loops, or bus stops. Everyone deserves to feel safe during their transit journey, and that includes being safe on the way to and from transit.”
