Vernon RCMP use creative tactic to send message about distracted driving
VERNON – Police in Vernon tested drivers with an unusual distracted driving campaign Monday afternoon involving a cardboard sign that read: ‘I am not homeless.’
If you kept reading, you’d see the sign went on to say, ‘RCMPolice looking for seatbelt/cell phones.’
RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says in a media release the sign was part of a campaign reminding drivers it’s illegal to use a cell phone when driving — even when stopped at an intersection.
“Did you notice this man yesterday afternoon?” Molendyk says. “Many of you didn’t.”
The cell phone and seatbelt check was conducted at the intersection of Anderson Way and 48 Avenue, and Molendyk says while police got a few thumbs up from passersby, not everyone was happy to see them.
“In one hour our officers issued eleven tickets for either using a cell phone or not wearing a seatbelt,” Molendyk says.
Cpl. Mark Taylor, the officer holding the sign, says the tactic had quite an effect on people.
“It is very interesting when most people looked (my) way and thought I was panhandling, (they) quickly looked away so that there was no eye contact,” he says.
The use of seatbelts has been mandatory for decades, and rules against using a cell phone while driving are nothing new, but many drivers are still not getting the message. Police continue to nab many drivers during patrols and focused campaigns.
“Be aware you will likely see our friendly sign man again in and around the city,” Molendyk says.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
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17 responses
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I thinkin theory it is a good idea. However if you are trying to read the sign is not also distracting your driving?
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And really who makes them above the law?I see more officers talking on their phones and playing with those laptops in their cars than regular civilians on the road.I will stop when they can abide by the laws they enforce on the rest of us.
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Citizen patrols, with self sticks photoing drivers and their license plates….Now that would get the message across….Sit in the trees with a high power LENS no one would see it coming….:p
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Jim Morris Loud pipes, absolutely. Everyone around can hear the sweet tune of a Harley, music to the ears. Much much better than a back-up alarm, maybe Harley can license their sound to big trucks backup and heavy equipment. Would love it rather than that whiney beep beep…The sound of a HARLEY starting up…SWEET…:P
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Ed Craven And leathers.And boots.And protective gloves.And be carrying a signaling device in case they are buried in an avalanche.Oh!And loud pipes.Everyone should have loud pipes cuz loud pipes save lives.Right?Snicker
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Saw this guy, gave him a spare squeegee, and rag, Might as well clean a few windshields for Timmys coin, while you work.
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Good idea, hope it comes to Calgary soon.To comment on another – not all cops have to be in uniform to do their job (I’m sure the guy with the sign is informing another officer down the road to issue the ticket) and an automated camera process like red light cameras could easily do the same job for every car on the road so you should be thankful.And I don’t think its any more of distraction than someone crossing the street – that is what you’re supposed to be focusing on things on the road.
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Fantastic…. I see so many people ( Not Just teens ) texting while driving I want to slap them silly.
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The police should have the right to exterminate addicts, the homeless, mentally ill and citizens who make really pointless comments on public threads- on site. Judge, jury, executioner, cost and timeeffective. By the way Greg, where do you live where crack smokers have enoughmoney to makehelp me signs and run through traffic? Sharpies are not free and cardboard is getting expensive, have you moved recently?
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I think one time is one too many-the second you see a driver not using a seatbelt or using their cellphone, ram them as soon as you can to ensure they never forget how unsafe it is! I’m sure they’ll think twice the next time.
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I like this idea and I hope it works well. This morning driving from Penticton to Kelowna I saw at least 30 drivers texting or using cell phones. To make it worse it was raining hard and lots of water on the highway. I would gladly volunteer some time if there was any way I could help to get the message across to people.
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What should the police do to rid our society of the crack smokers who stand in the middle of the street with their please help me signs? Tons of food and shelter is available for those who want it.
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OMG… I just so love this….A huge Thank you to the Vernon RCMP for doing whatever you need to do, to get these stupid stupid drivers off the road… Now, If only, ICBC would step up to the plate, and refuse ANY Insurance payments to those injured while texting/talking on their handheld devices while drivingor not wearing their seatbelts. AND, while the police are out there checking drivers,I would like to see severe financial penalties to cyclists NOT wearing their helmets.
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