Operation Ringtone launched by RNC to curb distracted driving

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has launched a new campaign to send a strong message about using a cellphonewhile behind the wheel.

Itcomes in the wake of what police say is a serious problem with people texting while driving.

The campaign is called Operation Ringtone, and is meant to try and push back against the problem of distracted drivers.

Sgt. Paul Didham said that over a recent eight-dayperiod, officers in the St. John's area handed out 180 tickets to distracted drivers.

However, he said it's not all about catching people breaking the law.

"We need buy in from the public," Didhamsaid.

"We need to partner with the community groups, and our mandate is to change the culture and attitude of the motoring public as it relates to using these devices in vehicles."

As part of the campaign, the RNC are putting officers in construction clothing to bust people who are driving distracted.

Worrying statistics

The RNC say they have the numbers to back up the dangers of using a phone while driving.

Insp. Paul Woodruff said texting while behind the wheel is becoming one of the leading causes of collisions in Canada.

"National statistics show that distracted driving habits contributed to 80 per centof motor vehicle collisions," he said.

"We've seen many accidents in our jurisdiction. We had approximately 6,400 last year so its a major concern for us."

Change through education

Woodruff said that 71 per centof teens admit to texting while driving, while 78 per cent admit to reading or receiving a text while driving.

Police officers will be going into high schools throughout the province with a distracted driving simulator, hoping to give new drivers a chance behind the wheel.

They plantodemonstrate what can happen when people text, talk or browse while driving.

Sgt. Didham hopes that the campaign will cause people to be more mindful when they're behind the wheel.

"Our objective is to try to change the culture and the attitude of the public regarding distracted driving habits," he said.