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Police crack down on distracted driving in Maple Ridge

50 tickets handed out during Operation Blue Heron
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Police handed out 50 violation tickets earlier this week during Operation Blue Heron. (Ridge Meadows RCMP Twitter/Special to The News)

The RCMP nabbed 50 people and handed them various violation tickets during an enforcement operation in Maple Ridge earlier this week.

As part of Operation Blue Heron police officers dressed in civilian clothing were up in a lift along Lougheed Highway by 224 Street to catch distracted drivers and those not buckled in.

Out of the 50 tickets the Ridge Meadows RCMP Road Safety Target Team handed out, 23 were for cell phone violations and 22 were for seat belt violations.

“Please, remember to leave your phone alone while driving,” appealed the Ridge Meadows detachment online.

READ MORE: RCMP advising motorists across Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows to slow down for back-to-school

Many people commented on the campaign.

Steve Nicklen said he was happy to see this campaign going again.

“I commute MR to Coquitlam every day and see people on their phones about every two trips. Yesterday was an N driver on Lougheed as we passed Meadowtown heading into MR. The message does not seem to be sticking,” he said.

Others criticized the officers for not wearing safety harnesses in the lift.

“A WorkSafe BC infraction no doubt. Please spend your time solving real crimes,” said Ronald Rogers.



Colleen Flanagan

About the Author: Colleen Flanagan

I got my start with Black Press Media in 2003 as a photojournalist.
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