‘Put the phone down’: Saint John police launch distracted driving campaign

From snacking to searching your playlist, Saint John Police raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.

More and more motor vehicle accidents happening on Canadian roadways involve distracted driving.

Whether it’s texting while behind the wheel, eating, or dealing with a child in the backseat on the highway, all of these are different forms of distracted driving that Saint John, N.B., police is looking to cut down through its Distracted Driving Campaign.

Running between Tuesday and Friday, the campaign will see Saint John police officers scattered around the city, focusing on ensuring distracted driving legislation is being followed while also educating the public on the risks.

“It’s important to bring attention to distracted driving,” says Saint John Police Staff Sgt. Sarah Hobbs.

“It’s an opportunity for people to become aware that with driving privileges, there also becomes an element of public safety and the onus of the driver to ensure that we’re following the rules of the road.”

Consequences for being caught driving distracted range from fines upwards of $1,300, loss of demerit points, and the potential to cause a serious accident.

Ensuring drivers follow the law is easier said than done. Hobbs says that’s why the campaign will focus on letting people know the risks involved by not paying attention to the road.

“This is an opportunity for discussion in general just about safe driving procedures,” she says.

“Talking to young drivers, people in their family to say you know what, this is really important that you’re not on your cell phone.”

According to CAA spokesperson Julia Kent, 94 per cent of Canadians say they are concerned about distracted driving. It doesn’t help that around half of Canadian drivers admit to committing some form of distracted driving.

Kent says it’s not just cellphones anymore, but also the big screens being built into newer vehicles that are big sources of distractions. She also says eating and focusing on a pet or child in the backseat are also forms of taking your attention off the road.

“We tell everybody, do it all before you drive,” Kent says. “Set your GPS, set your music, make any phone calls you need to make, look up directions, do all of those things before you embark on your trip. Even if you’re just doing a short trip from the home to the grocery store.”

Young drivers like Matthew LeBlanc say phones are the biggest problem on the roads these days, and he believes there is no reason people can’t just leave it in their pocket during a drive.

“Back in the day, my dad used to say you didn’t even have a phone as a kid,” says LeBlanc.

“The only thing that I’d really be on my phone for is if I’m on a long drive and want to change the song really quickly, and even then if I have someone in the passenger seat I will get them to do it,” he adds.

“Some people aren’t like that, but I really think this world needs to change to be honest.”

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