Quebec police launch crackdown on distracted and reckless driving

Police across Quebec are stepping up enforcement in the next few days to crack down on distracted and reckless driving.

The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) and local police forces are taking part in a coordinated operation from Oct. 10 to 16, targeting everything from cellphone use behind the wheel to tailgating and dangerous passing.

Officers were out Friday morning in Beaconsfield as part of the operation, which involves checkpoints and patrols across the province.

Positioned along Highway 20, officers stopped 43 drivers in two hours for infractions, including 14 people using a cell phone while driving.

A second operation, carried out near De Lorimier Avenue and Sherbrooke Street East, focused on trucking safety. Police officers issued 109 tickets to drivers, including 30 for using a cell phone while driving, 15 with non-compliant equipment such as lights, and 13 not wearing a seatbelt.

The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Quebec Association of Police Chiefs, Longueuil police and the Quebec automobile insurance board (SAAQ) road control division. Police say they’ll also be paying special attention to heavy vehicles that commit traffic offences.

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The crackdown coincides with the SAAQ’s ongoing awareness campaign, “Bien se conduire sur la route, c’est juste la base” (“Good driving is just the basics”), which features short videos aimed at reminding young drivers to respect the Highway Safety Code and adopt safer habits.

Police say reckless or inappropriate behaviour is often a factor in crashes, especially in urban areas (57 per cent), school zones (57 per cent), and intersections (65 per cent).

“The basic message is when you’re driving a vehicle, you’re driving what could potentially be a weapon. You know, it weighs thousands of pounds. It could cause a lot of damage. 100 per cent of your concentration has to be on the road.” said Andre Durocher, director of the CAA Foundation for Road Safety.

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Among the behaviours officers will be watching for:

• Failing to obey stop signs, red lights, school bus signals, or right-of-way rules
• Unsafe passing and manoeuvres that compromise safety
• Following too closely
• Using a cellphone or other distractions while driving

- With files from Jack Richardson