Vancouver Police say drivers not getting the message about distracted driving

Vancouver Police are pleading with drivers to put down their phones while driving.

Police are teaming up with volunteers to catch drivers calling and texting while behind the wheel.

On June 4 and 5, plainclothes officers riding in volunteers’ cars stopped and ticketed 47 drivers using cell phones while driving. Each ticket comes with a $167 fine.

“You never know who may be driving beside you when you reach for your cell phone,” says Inspector Les Yeo with the VPD Traffic Section. “No call or text is worth risking your safety or the safety of others.”

Last year, Vancouver Police ticketed 9,722 drivers for using an electronic device while driving.