Distracted driving down slightly in Vancouver after first month of fine increases
Vancouver Police issued 490 distracted driving tickets in the month of June, down 14% from last year
Vancouver Policed issued 490 distracted driving tickets in June of this year, a decrease of about 14 per cent compared to the 568 infractions handed out over the same period last year.
"It's a decrease, but not as much as we'd like to see," said Const. Brian Montague. "Time will tell whether these fines have a good impact."
New legislation which kicked in at the beginning of June means a first time offender receiving a distracted driving ticket now faces $543 in fines — $368 for the ticket and $175 for the four penalty points.
Previously the fine for distracted driving — formally known as 'driving while using an electronic device' — was $167 for a first time offender.
The VPD also announced it issued 35 immediate roadside prohibitions to impaired drivers over the long weekend.