According to a new report from CBC News, Sgt. Rob Duttchen of the Winnipeg Police has made it his personal mission to end distracted driving.
Back in 2009, Duttchen’s father was killed in Arizona by a 16-year-old driver that was texting when her vehicle crossed the median and struck his father who was walking his dog. In a statement, Duttchen said:
“We believe that the dependence on our smartphones has gotten to a point where we don’t give it a second thought. You have to remove your hand from the wheel to do your text. You have to remove your eyes from your environment to look at your phone.”
Duttchen recently took the streets in Winnipeg to assist with enforcement and education. When he stopped offenders, he gave them a choice of a ticket or to listen to his own personal story. His approach of being proactive is helping the Winnipeg police crackdown this summer.
The police service will be out in full force this Canada Day long weekend to target distracted drivers. If you are heading out this long weekend, remember that there is no call or text that can’t wait.
