‘Can you spare a fine?’: RCMP ‘panhandlers’ ticket distracted B.C. drivers

[GAP]

‘Can you spare a fine?’: RCMP ‘panhandlers’ ticket distracted B.C. drivers
Tristin Hopper  Mar 26, 2012
Article Link

At least in Chilliwack, police officers disguised as panhandlers have become the B.C. RCMP’s newest tool in cracking down on distracted driving.

Earlier this month, RCMP Const. Bryan Martell appeared at a Chilliwack-area intersection dressed in a hooded jacket and ball cap – and sporting a few day’s growth of beard.

Wandering alongside stopped vehicles he carried a cardboard sign reading “Hello, my name is Constable Martell. If you’re on your cell phone right now, you are about to get a ticket.”

If he spotted a driver texting talking on his cell phone, Cst. Martell radioed ahead to a uniformed officer who would then ticket the vehicle.

As a result of the one-day blitz, officers handed out 21 tickets and gave out countless verbal warnings, RCMP traffic officials told the Chilliwack Times.

Since February, 2010, British Columbians have been barred from using any sort of handheld electronic device while driving.

As of September, 2011, the legislation had generated nearly 50,000 tickets and according to the B.C. government, has saved 16 lives.
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[PMedMoe]

Awesome.  :nod:

 

[George Wallace]

He could quadrupple his busts if he did that in Ottawa.  >

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Maybe the police in BC can show leadership on the issue and remove the exemption they have allowing them to use cellphones while driving. If it's to dangerous for us, it's to dangerous for them.

 

[dapaterson]

Only thing wrong with his disguise is his proper use of "you're" and "your" on his sign...

 

[Journeyman]

    :nod:

 

[George Wallace]

Maybe the police in BC can show leadership on the issue and remove the exemption they have allowing them to use cellphones while driving. If it's to dangerous for us, it's to dangerous for them.

Not just the BC police.  Here in Ottawa, it is the same.  Police on cell phones, while playing with their computers while driving.......etc.  I imagine the same image is set from Victoria through Saint John's.

 

[mariomike]

Not just the BC police.  Here in Ottawa, it is the same.  Police on cell phones, while playing with their computers while driving.......etc.  I imagine the same image is set from Victoria through Saint John's.

If interested,
"Gadgets in Emergency Vehicles Seen as Peril":
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/11/technology/11distracted.html?_r=1

 

[Container]

Maybe the police in BC can show leadership on the issue and remove the exemption they have allowing them to use cellphones while driving. If it's to dangerous for us, it's to dangerous for them.

The idea is that with less cell phones being used the roads are safer. The police use those communications devices, radio, computer, and cell phone to coordinate response to 911 calls. You know- life and death stuff.

They should absolutely be accountable for explaining what exactly they were doing with their cell phones etc if someone observes thema nd makes a complaint. I hate seeing PO's doing any cell phone crap while they are on duty. But they are used for legitimate reasons. No matter how sour some people are about being told that they have to pay attention when they drive.

Horror of horrors- PO's are exempt from most of the highway traffic requirements!

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Maybe the police in BC can show leadership on the issue and remove the exemption they have allowing them to use cellphones while driving. If it's to dangerous for us, it's to dangerous for them.

:sarcasm:

Careful, you'll be branded a cop hating anarchist. ;D

 

[startbutton]

Not just the BC police.  Here in Ottawa, it is the same.  Police on cell phones, while playing with their computers while driving.......etc.  I imagine the same image is set from Victoria through Saint John's.

I've seen it here with the MPs on the base I live on to. I almost had an MP drive straight into me after rolling through the stop sign. Only reason it was avoided  was because I saw her veh just keep rolling and she looked up after I hit my horn she was looking at her computer instead of the road. She didn't look happy but oh well.
And it's really hard to explain to my kids when they ask why the cops can break laws like failing to make complete stops on reds or stop signs and speed I try and give an excuse like maybe they got a call to go somewhere but then se them pull into the Timmies drive through.

 

[George Wallace]

I've seen it here with the MPs on the base I live on to. I almost had an MP drive straight into me after rolling through the stop sign. Only reason it was avoided  was because I saw her veh just keep rolling and she looked up after I hit my horn she was looking at her computer instead of the road. She didn't look happy but oh well.
And it's really hard to explain to my kids when they ask why the cops can break laws like failing to make complete stops on reds or stop signs and speed I try and give an excuse like maybe they got a call to go somewhere but then se them pull into the Timmies drive through.

Makes one thing hard about putting some of that "Spy Tech" stuff to work and install cameras and a Black Box in your car to record your daily commute.  Probably come in handy in court if you are involved in an accident or less than amiable "roadside Stop".  Be sure to put a bumper sticker on your vehicle announcing that "You are on Camera".  >

 

[GAP]

Makes one thing hard about putting some of that "Spy Tech" stuff to work and install cameras and a Black Box in your car to record your daily commute.  Probably come in handy in court if you are involved in an accident or less than amiable "roadside Stop".  Be sure to put a bumper sticker on your vehicle announcing that "You are on Camera".  >

Is that type of stuff easily available?

 

[George Wallace]

Is that type of stuff easily available?

http://www.thespystore.ca/products/

http://www.spytech.com/

http://www.spystuff.com/

http://www.shopintoronto.com/Spy-Tech--/433279.htm

http://privateeyespyshop.scapeline.net/

http://www.spydepotsecurityinc.com/

 

[AmmoTech90]

Couple of helmet cams, turn them on, set them up to loop and continually write ove the oldest data on the memory card.

$140 bucks, 8 hours recording time on a 32 GB card, you can probably power it via USB cable to cigarette lighter: http://shop.helmetcameracentral.com/HC-MICROHD.html

 

[GAP]

wow....

 

[Pieman]

$140 bucks, 8 hours recording time on a 32 GB card, you can probably power it via USB cable to cigarette lighter

I had great success filming all my LAV driving with the Tachyon XC camera, plus a couple patrols.. I still think the best helmet cam out there. Mounted it next to LAV II barrel, got some amazing footage.

 

[Snaketnk]

I've got a lot of success with the ContourHD and GoPro HD... and I know for a fact there's a window suction cup mount for the GoPro, and you can find them for 150$ if you look enough. Great little camera that one. Going off topic much?

 

[Pieman]

Going off topic much?

Meh, camera talk is more interesting.

 

[startbutton]

The camera thing sounds like  a good idea, not to sure how the police would take it if I was pulled over and saw the bumper sticker and cameras. And would it be rude to ask them to speak clearly into the mic