RCMP nab 672 distracted drivers under year-old law

New Brunswick RCMP have issued more than 672 distracted driver-related tickets — and a lot of warnings — since the provincial legislation came into effect one year ago. 

Under the Motor Vehicle Act, drivers are banned from handling or using cell phones, texting devices and GPS systems while driving.

"There are still New Brunswickers who continue to use handheld devices while driving, or who have gone back to their old habit of doing so," Staff Sgt. Stéphane Caron of Traffic Services stated in a release.

Drivers don't seem to understand how dangerous it is, he said.

'It's definitely as serious as driving while impaired by alcohol so it's something to be taken very seriously.'—RCMP Staff Sgt. Stéphane Caron

According to a CAA study, drivers using handheld electronic devices are four times more likely to be involved in a collision, creating the risk of being seriously injured or killed, while those who are texting are at 28 times more risk, said Caron.

"So it's definitely as serious as driving while impaired by alcohol so it's something to be taken very seriously," he said.

"It's those people we are ticketing in order to make our roads safer."

Motorists can expect stricter enforcement, said Caron.

"We're putting a push on enforcement and don't be expecting too many warnings," he said.

"At first we went with some warnings, at the beginning. But now it's been a year, people should know better."

Anyone caught breaking the law faces a fine of $172.50 and the loss of three points from their licence.

New Brunswick was one of the last provinces to impose rules on cellphones while driving.