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Richmond RCMP Road Safety Unit partnered with ICBC, volunteers, and transit police for a large-scale driving operation on Sept. 17.

Photo courtesy Richmond RCMP

September Road Report highlights distracted driving blitz and railway safety operation

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 2:36 PDT, Mon October 21, 2024

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Richmond RCMP Road Safety Unit (RSU) continues to prioritize road safety through targeted enforcement initiatives and joint operations. In September, officers issued a total of 802 traffic tickets, focusing on key areas such as speeding, distracted driving, and vehicle-related infractions.

September traffic enforcement summary

Key statistics from September’s enforcement activities include:

Driver licence infractions: 150
Vehicle-related infractions: 228
Speeding: 149
Distracted driving: 80
Impaired driving: 19

Joint Forces Operations

Distracted driving blitz:
On Sept. 17, RSU partnered with ICBC, volunteers, and the Transit Police for a large-scale distracted driving operation. During this blitz, 43 drivers were issued tickets for electronic device use, totaling $25,254 in fines. A further $8,815 in penalty point premiums brought the total fines to $34,069. Richmond RCMP reminds drivers to focus on the road and avoid distractions that put everyone at risk.
Rail Safety Week operation:
As part of Rail Safety Week, RSU conducted a joint forces operation in collaboration with CN Police. The operation resulted in 17 charges, including failing to stop at railway crossings and stopping on railway tracks. Richmond RCMP volunteers supported the effort by educating the public on railway crossing safety. This operation highlights the importance of compliance with traffic laws around railway crossings, to prevent serious collisions.

HOV enforcement:
On Sept. 18, RSU responded to calls for increased HOV enforcement amid a rise in congestion on Russ Baker Way. This spot requires 3 persons, no EV decal exception. RSU officers laid 18 charges in a 2-hour period, where vehicles were pulled over and served their charges on the shoulder so that the HOV was free for proper users.

Upcoming fall campaign:

Richmond RCMP RSU reminds the community that as we transition further into the fall months, there will be an increased focus on distracted driving enforcement. In partnership with ICBC, officers and volunteers will be working to educate the public and enforce laws against distracted driving, while also reminding drivers to adjust their driving for seasonal weather conditions.

“Our September results, especially the distracted driving blitz and railway safety week operations, show how crucial targeted enforcement is in making our roads safer. This fall, we’ll continue to focus on distracted driving and ensuring that drivers are adapting to changing weather conditions. We encourage everyone to stay alert and drive responsibly” said sergeant Eric Baskette, Richmond RCMP Road Safety Unity.

Engage with us:

Richmond RCMP encourages all residents to stay informed through our monthly road reports and to participate in ongoing road safety initiatives. For the latest updates and safety tips, follow us on social media and visit our website.