Police Applaud Tougher Distracted Driving Fines

Proposed changes to New Brunswick’s Motor Vehicle Act are being welcomed by at least one police force.

As part of the changes introduced this week, the fine for distracted driving would double to $280 and the demerit points would increase to five.

Sgt. Evan Scott, who is in charge of traffic services for the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force, said he is glad the province wants to increase demerit points in addition to the fine.

“A lot of the times when we see an increase of penalty, and when we stop somebody roadside, one of their first questions isn’t with respect to the fine, it’s how many points am I going to lose,” said Scott. “Once they lose their points, they can’t drive.”

The province is also considering changes to its move-over law, which requires drivers to slow down and move over for ambulances, police and fire vehicles stopped on the road with their flashing lights on.

They want to expand the law to include tow trucks and highway maintenance vehicles, as well as set a maximum speed limit when passing a stopped emergency vehicle.

Scott welcomes the addition of a speed limit but would also like to see more education around the move-over law.

“A lot of the time, when we stop a motorist for failing to move over, they claim ‘well, what are you talking about?’ and it’s like ‘well, how long have you lived in this province for? We’ve had this legislation for a long time now,'” he said.

Scott said they still see many drivers who fail to move over for stopped emergency vehicles — or other vehicles, for that matter.