Vancouver police officer struck by driver during distracted driving enforcement

A Vancouver police officer is recoveringafter being struck by a driver with a learner's permit during adistracted driving crackdown last week.

The incident happened ontheMcGill Street on-ramp toward Highway 1around 7:30 a.m.on Sept. 23. Police say the officer had pulled over a distracted driverand returned to their unmarked SUV, which had its lights and sirens activated, to write the ticket.

As the officer filled out the paperwork, a Mazdacoming from behind drifted onto the shoulder and rear-ended the officer's vehicle.

"The officer seated inside the vehicle was injured and has been off work ever since,"Vancouver police Sgt. Aaron Roedsaid Wednesday.

"We never want to see any officer hurt in the course of their duties and we are wishing them a speedy recovery," Roed said, adding it is not clear when the officer will be able to return to work.

Dashcam footage provided to police captured the collision. The driver of the Mazda, their passenger, as well as the driver of the first vehicle were unhurt.

Roed said the driver of the Mazda had a learner's permit, which requires a driver to drive with a qualified supervisor who has their own driver's licence but in this case, Roed said, the passenger did not have their ownlicence.

The driver was ticketed for driving without due care and attention, disobeying driver's licence restrictionsand failure to display an "L" for a total of $580 in fines.

The first driver was also issued a ticket in relation to distracted driving.

Roed said the force upped its enforcement against distracted driving during the month of September, reminding drivers to drive smarter as students return to school and the weather begins to shift.