B.C. Driver Gets Ticketed for Switching Song on Dash-Mounted Cellphone

According to a Global News report, a B.C driver has been issued a distracted driving ticket for switching song on her dash-mounted cellphone. The Vancouver Island woman, who plans to fight the driving ticket, said the officer complimented her for having a clean driving record, then issued a distracted driving ticket.

BC driver

“He said there is a distracted driving grey area that even he is stuck in,” said Brittney Taylor, who was pulled over by an officer near Shelbourne Street and McKenzie Avenue on New Year’s Eve after she touched her phone that was secured in a phone mount.

“He doesn’t know if everything is legal or if what I did was legal or illegal”, Brittney continued. “I have a daughter, I go to school, I’m a student. I don’t make a lot of money, so it really impacted me financially and emotionally.”

Meanwhile, Saanich Police has issued a statement saying drivers are only allowed to touch their mounted phone once to answer or end a phone call.

“The legislation does not permit touching the device to play music, and should only be done prior to driving,” the statement said.

“Furthermore, the music must be streamed through the vehicle speakers as well. When driving, motorists should be focused solely on the task of driving. It’s that simple.”

According to lawyer Kyla Lee, however, the laws are not as straightforward as the police make them out to be. “The distracted driving rules in British Columbia are not clear and this leads to continuous problems.”

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