Police in Kingston, Ont. using a drone to hang up on distracted drivers

Kingston police are using a drone to target distracted drivers on roads in Kingston. Police say officers issued 20 tickets for using a hand-held device while driving last week. (Kingston Police/X)

Police in Kingston, Ont. are using eyes in the sky to crack down on distracted driving.

The Kingston Police Service says officers with the Traffic Safety Unit are finding “additional uses” for the collision reconstruction drone to combat distracted driving and making local roadways safer.

Last Wednesday, officers issued 20 tickets for distracted driving during a one-day blitz targeting the intersections of Division Street at John Counter Boulevard, Sir John A. Macdonald Boulevard at John Counter Boulevard and Highway 15 at Gore Road.

“During the distracted driving enforcement blitz, the drone operator would use the zoom camera to record video while looking for cellphone use by drivers at these intersections,” police said. “Once observed, details and direction of the vehicles and drivers were given over the radio to nearby waiting officers in police cruisers, where they would make an immediate stop and consequently issue an offence notice for the Highway Traffic Act charge of using a hand-held communication device while operating a motor vehicle.”

The fine for using a hand-held device while driving is a minimum $615 and three demerit points.

Police say, “many drivers still seem surprised when advised by police they cannot manipulate their phones when stopped at a red light.” Police add if your phone is dash-mounted, you are limited to a single touch to answer a call.

“One commercial driver was seen at a red light touching and manipulating their dash-mounted phone for over a minute,” police said in a media release.

The Kingston Police Traffic Safety Unit received Nav Canada approval to operate its drone for roadway enforcement. The service has been using a drone since 2021 to assist in collision reconstructions, missing persons investigations and monitoring events like Queen’s University homecoming.