The RCMP's first organized sting along the QE II Highway to include distracted drivers resulted in 15 tickets being issued during a three-day operation from Gasoline Alley, just south of Red Deer, to Olds.
The operation was part of their ongoing effort to improve safety on provincial highways. The Innisfail Integrated Traffic Unit (IITU), comprising Alberta Sheriffs and RCMP, set up random checkstops at various locations and times between Nov. 1 and 3. One of the checkstops was located on 46 Street near Hwy. 2A in Olds.
“These checkstops focused primarily on the leading causes of collisions, including impaired driving, occupant restraints (seatbelts), speed, distracted driving and intersection safety.
Alberta's distracted driving law came into force on Sept. 1. It is considered the toughest legislation of its kind in the country.
For most of the first few weeks police in Central Alberta said they were reasonably happy with driver compliance.
However, it was a different story along the QE II during the first three days of this month, when for the first time distracted driving was part of an important law enforcement safety campaign.
“I was quite surprised to see so many people not abiding by it (distracted driving law),” said Const. Steve Molnar, of the IITU, who added that all 15 tickets issued from Gasoline Alley to Olds were for drivers using hand-held cellphones.
“General compliance is dropping a bit. In this case we can see the driver before they can see us. It appears to me the compliance level is still not at the level it should be. People need to focus on the road and their surroundings.”
Along with the 15 tickets issued for distracted driving police and sheriffs laid more than 100 other charges, including one drug-related 24-hour suspension, 23 seatbelt violations, one for driving without insurance, five vehicle equipment violations and 10 other traffic offences, including speeding, registration and licensing infractions.
In one case, a 25-year-old Fort McMurray man was stopped and charged along the QE II near Carstairs after being clocked travelling 201 km/h.
As the man was travelling in excess of 50 km/h over the posted speed limit he must make a mandatory court appearance. He faces a fine of up to $2,000 and/or driver's suspension of up to 90 days.
Meanwhile, police patrolling the QE II said last Friday's first substantial snowfall of the season did not cause any major problems with most drivers.
“It was fairly mild in our area as far as calls,” said Molnar. “However, we are reminding drivers that with the change in road conditions they need to adjust to that and give more room to other vehicles and be courteous.”
