VicPD pilot program offers workshop instead of distracted driving fine

VicPD recently offered a workshop to people caught driving distracted. File Photo.

Some distracted drivers who were caught in the Victoria area were recently given the choice to participate in a three-hour educational workshop or face a $543 fine.

In December, Victoria police launched a two-day pilot program with the goal of giving first-time offenders an opportunity to learn about distracted driving while taking personal responsibility for driving while distracted.

Forty-two people were issued tickets for distracted driving over the two-day period and 32 people decided to take part in the workshop.

The workshop focused on issues of cellphone use and also eating or applying makeup behind the wheel — and Gillian Lindquist, who was involved in running the workshops, says it was successful in getting the message across that distracted driving has serious consequences.

Unfortunately, #distracteddriving has now eclipsed impaired driving as a cause of injury and death on our roads. Despite informational campaigns and fines and fees over $500!for first-time offenders, we’re still catching people driving while using their phones. So, we decided to try something new.Both hard-hitting and informative, this interactive 3-hour Restorative Justice seminar gave first-time offenders an opportunity to learn about distracted driving while taking personal responsibility for driving while distracted. As a result of a 2-day VicPD distracted driving enforcement campaign, 42 tickets were issued and 32 people attended this seminar. #yyj #yyjtraffic #traffic #mobile

A post shared by VicPDcanada (@vicpdcanada) on Jan 4, 2018 at 3:58pm PST

With files from The Canadian Press

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